The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday screened 176 distinctive underage candidates who scored excessive marks within the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) reviews the screening train was carried out concurrently in Abuja, Owerri in Imo State and Lagos.
It was designed to make sure that solely excellent and well-prepared candidates under the age of 16 are thought of for admission into tertiary establishments for the 2025/2026 tutorial session.
The chairperson of the Abuja centre for the screening, Taoheed Adedoja, a professor, expressed satisfaction with the sleek conduct of the train.
On the screening process, Mr Adedoja defined that candidates first sat for a written examination earlier than continuing to face-to-face interviews.
“They did the primary paper which took like 20 minutes and after that, the papers had been marked they usually proceeded to the second session, which is face-to-face interactions.
“Twenty-two (22) candidates had been screened right here in Abuja centre, however nationwide the determine is 176.
“The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, would decide when the outcomes of the screening can be launched,” Mr Adedoja stated.
Additionally talking, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Establishments and TETFund, Mohammed Dandutse, counseled JAMB for offering a platform for proficient underage candidates to exhibit their skills.
“Now, they’re giving leverage to the underage in order that they will go to the colleges primarily based on their skill to cross these exams.
“It is vitally necessary for them (underage) to be assessed due to the maturity of focus.
“It’s higher that the examination is carried out in order that the very best abilities might be chosen and it’ll pave the best way for the event of this nation,” Mr Dandutse stated.
The lawmaker reaffirmed the Nationwide Meeting’s dedication to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s training insurance policies.
He counseled JAMB for its consistency and transparency.
On his half, the chairperson of the Home of Representatives Committee on Fundamental Examination Our bodies, Oboku Oforji, lauded the scholars for his or her excellent efficiency.
Mr Oforji, who additionally monitored the train in Abuja, stated it mirrored Nigeria’s competitiveness in training throughout Africa.
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He counseled the candidates for his or her orderly behaviour and guaranteed that the screening course of would strictly adhere to the rules offered by JAMB.
NAN reviews that the official age for college admission in Nigeria is eighteen years, although the Nationwide Coverage permits entry from age 16.
A complete of 41,027 candidates utilized underneath the class of exceptionally sensible underage candidates for the 2025 UTME, however solely 599 scored 80 p.c and above.
Some had been later disqualified for not assembly the identical benchmark of their O-Degree or Put up-UTME outcomes, leaving solely 176 confirmed for closing evaluation.
The screening panel comprised representatives from the Federal Ministry of Schooling, Nationwide Universities Fee (NUC), Vice Chancellors, the Gifted College, amongst others.
(NAN)
