The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has registered over 700,000 candidates for its upcoming examinations, including more than 11,000 underage applicants.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this revelation while speaking to journalists after inspecting several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Lagos on Friday.
According to Oloyede, the total number of registered candidates stood at 779,714 as of the second week of the registration process.
He further stated that the number had increased to 780,202, with 11,512 underage candidates among them.
“Today alone, 443 underage candidates were registered,” Oloyede disclosed.
Policy on Underage Applicants
This year, JAMB introduced a new policy allowing exceptionally gifted underage candidates to participate in the exams.
The minimum age for eligibility remains 16, but exceptions are made for “highly gifted” underage candidates.
Oloyede clarified, “Underage candidates are those below 16 but exceptionally brilliant, typically aged 13 to 14.”
He added that Nigeria has historically misused this concept but emphasized that truly exceptional candidates should not be denied the opportunity to take the exams.
“We identify a few such individuals, perhaps 30 to 50 across the country,” he explained.
Encouragement and Caution
Oloyede encouraged exceptionally gifted underage candidates to take advantage of this opportunity.
“If you believe you have something exceptional, you should register,” he said.
However, he warned that underage candidates who do not meet the criteria risk wasting their registration fees.
“It would be better for them to wait, as they risk wasting their money,” he cautioned.
Trial Testing for Underage Candidates
To accommodate underage applicants who wish to familiarize themselves with the CBT format, JAMB introduced a “trial testing” category.
Under this scheme, underage candidates are considered “applicants,” not full candidates.
“Only those 16 and above are regarded as candidates,” Oloyede clarified.
He explained that trial testing candidates are exempt from paying JAMB registration fees.
“They pay N1,000 for a book, N700 to the CBT centre, N1,500 for the exam venue, and N300 to banks as a commission. This totals N3,500, with JAMB taking nothing from them,” he explained.
Background and Context
This policy marks a significant shift in JAMB’s approach to underage applicants.
In previous years, the board strictly enforced the minimum age requirement of 16.
However, the growing number of exceptionally gifted young students has led to calls for a more flexible approach.
Nigeria’s educational system has produced several young prodigies who have excelled in national and international competitions.
This trend has contributed to the demand for a policy that accommodates exceptionally gifted underage candidates.
Public Reaction and Debate
The registration of over 11,000 underage candidates has sparked public debate about the implications of this policy.
Critics argue that allowing underage candidates to participate could undermine the minimum age requirement.
They also raise concerns about the psychological and emotional impact of subjecting young students to the pressure of national exams.
However, supporters of the policy argue that it provides opportunities for gifted students to reach their full potential.
They believe that exceptional talent should be nurtured rather than restricted by age limits.
JAMB’s Efforts to Ensure Transparency
JAMB has emphasized its commitment to transparency and fairness in the registration process.
Oloyede revealed that the board is closely monitoring the registration of underage candidates to prevent abuse of the policy.
He also visited several CBT centres in Lagos to inspect the registration process and ensure compliance with JAMB’s guidelines.
