JAMB Extends Deadline for Final Assessment of Under-Age Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board cites fairness and logistics as reasons for the extension.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced an extension of the deadline for the final assessment of under-age candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The move, according to the examination body, is aimed at ensuring that all affected candidates are given sufficient time to regularise their status before the conclusion of the 2025 admission exercise.
JAMB initially set a September 15 deadline for the verification and assessment of under-age candidates—those below the minimum admission age of 16. However, following appeals from parents, schools, and stakeholders, the board shifted the date to September 30.
The extension will allow candidates more time to provide necessary documentation, including birth certificates and letters from their schools, to confirm their eligibility. JAMB said the decision was made to avoid disenfranchising genuine candidates whose paperwork might have been delayed due to administrative bottlenecks.
Over the years, the board has maintained that the 16-year age benchmark was instituted to align with global best practices and to ensure students are emotionally and academically mature before entering higher institutions. Despite this, JAMB noted that special cases requiring consideration continue to emerge each admission cycle.
Education analyst Dr. Chinedu Opara welcomed the decision, saying: “While rules are essential, flexibility in policy implementation is equally important, especially when it comes to protecting the future of young candidates. The extension shows JAMB is willing to balance regulation with compassion.”
Conclusion
With the new deadline in place, under-age candidates and their guardians have been urged to complete the required processes promptly to avoid further complications in the 2025 admission cycle.