The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the introduction of a mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates under the age of 16. This initiative, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is not intended for tertiary institution admission but aims to allow younger candidates to test their readiness for the examination.
Prof. Oloyede made the announcement during a meeting with media executives in Lagos on Sunday, where he also revealed the dates for the 2025 UTME. The examination will take place on March 8, 2025, with the sale of forms set to begin on January 31 and close on March 5. A mock UTME will be conducted on February 23, 2025, for those seeking trial-testing experience.
The mock UTME is specifically designed for candidates under 16 years of age who are not yet eligible for university, polytechnic, or college admission. These candidates will be able to participate in the mock exam solely for the purpose of gaining experience, as they cannot qualify for admission due to the age restriction.
Candidates wishing to register for the mock exam will pay a fee of N8,200, while those opting for the UTME only (without mock) will pay N7,200. The trial-testing mock exam for underage candidates will cost N5,700. Additionally, the sale of Direct Entry application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on March 10 and April 7, respectively.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized the age restriction for the 2025 UTME, noting that candidates must be at least 16 years old on or before September 30, 2025, to qualify for university admission. However, gifted candidates under the age of 15 may still be allowed to register if they achieve exceptional academic performance, including a UTME score of 280 or higher.
In a related development, the Federal Government has suspended the controversial 18-year minimum age requirement for tertiary institution admission. This policy, initially introduced by former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, faced significant backlash and was reversed by his successor, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in November 2024.
The 2025 UTME will see the approval of 870 computer-based test centres, an increase from 747 last year, reflecting the growing capacity for the examination.
For more information on registration details and deadlines, candidates are encouraged to visit the official JAMB website.
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