JAMB: Why we excluded 371-scoring candidate from final vetting for UTME minors

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified the exclusion of one Kareem Kaamilah Omolarami, an underage candidate who scored 371 in the 2025 UTME, from its final screening for minors.

The education ministry mandates a minimum age of 16 years for entry into tertiary institutions to ensure candidates possess the necessary mental maturity for higher education.

In 2025, a special vetting process was introduced as a rigorous filter, providing a path only for exceptional candidates under 16 who meet extremely high academic benchmarks.

Out of the 41,027 underage candidates who wrote the 2025 UTME under the category, only 176 were confirmed eligible and subjected to a final assessment, which included a written test and a face-to-face interview.

The multi-layered screening for the underage candidates took place on October 8 and 9, after an initial screening period was scheduled for September 22 to 26.

JAMB said Omolarami, who scored 371 in the 2025 UTME and had applied to the Nile University, passed the first two of the four-stage vetting for underage candidates, but was then officially reported absent for the institution’s internal screening.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the examination body stated that the candidate was not invited for the final vetting as a result.

The first three stages include attaining a minimum UTME score of 320, scoring at least 80 per cent in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and achieving 80 per cent in the university’s internal screening exercise.

The final vetting involves undergoing a final screening by a JAMB panel, where the candidate must also score no less than 80 per cent.

JAMB said a candidate is only eligible for the next stage after successfully meeting the requirements of the preceding one.

“This report was formally transmitted to the board by the institution, thereby rendering her ineligible to participate in the final screening exercise,” JAMB said.

“Her non-invitation to the final stage was therefore not due to any administrative oversight, bias, or procedural lapse on the part of the board.”

JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), which automates the admission process to ensure fairness and eliminate human interference.

It said that while it regulates and approves admissions, the respective universities recommend suitably qualified candidates based on their internal selection processes.

JAMB said the results of 84 successful underage candidates are currently being processed and will be released to their respective institutions to finalise their admissions.

JAMB: Why we excluded 371-scoring candidate from final vetting for UTME minors | TheCable