JAMB Pushes Back Underage UTME Assessment After University Delays
When Dr. Fabian Benjamin, spokesperson for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board announced a new assessment date on September 19, 2025, the news rippled through Nigeria’s university corridors. The shift came after 23 of the 71 institutions that had initially selected under‑age candidates failed to hand in their Post‑UTME screening scores by the September 15 deadline. In plain terms, 135 bright youngsters—some as young as 15—found their admission journey stalled, and the ripple effect could touch the entire 2025/2026 academic session.
Why Under‑age Candidates Matter
Under the special provision that allows candidates under 16 to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only a tiny slice of the 41,027 hopefuls make the cut. This year, just 599 scored 80% or higher, earning the label “exceptionally brilliant under‑age candidates.” Their presence in university halls isn’t a novelty; it’s a strategic move to nurture talent early, especially in STEM fields where a few extra years can mean a massive head start.
Timeline of the Recent Delay
Here’s the thing: the National Examinations Council (NECO) released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results on September 17, giving universities a narrow window to upload their Post‑UTME scores. By September 15, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had set a hard deadline for the 71 participating universities. When the clock ticked over and 23 schools were still silent, JAMB was forced to push the final assessment to September 19.
- September 12, 2024 – Previous policy timeline set for 2024/2025 session.
- August 28, 2025 – Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja, chaired by Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.
- September 15, 2025 – Original deadline for Post‑UTME scores.
- September 17, 2025 – NECO releases SSCE results.
- September 19, 2025 – JAMB announces new assessment date.
Who’s Affected? The 135 Candidates by Institution
The list reads like a geographic cross‑section of Nigeria’s higher‑education landscape:
| University | Location | Pending Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Lagos | Akoka, Lagos State (South‑West) | 39 |
| Nile University of Nigeria | Abuja, FCT (North‑Central) | 18 |
| Nnamdi Azikiwe University | Awka, Anambra State (South‑East) | 15 |
| University of Abuja | Gwagwalada, FCT (North‑Central) | 12 |
| University of Uyo | Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (South‑South) | 9 |
These 135 students represent just a fraction of the 599 qualified under‑age aspirants, but their stalled admission underscores a systemic bottleneck.
Official Response and Calls for Compliance
"JAMB has formally written to the institutions involved, directing them to submit the outstanding screening scores without further delay," said Dr. Fabian Benjamin. He added that compliance is non‑negotiable because the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) hinges on timely data to allocate seats fairly.
CAPS, the electronic platform launched in 2018, mandates public universities to forward their recommended candidates by September 30, 2025, while private schools have until October 31, 2025. The absolute cut‑off for the whole process lands on October 30 for public institutions and November 30 for private ones.
“These timelines were agreed upon at the August 28 policy meeting,” noted the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa. “Any deviation jeopardises the integrity of the 2025/2026 intake.”
Stakeholder Perspectives
The reaction from university administrators has been a mix of defensiveness and urgency. A dean at a private university, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "We’re juggling multiple admission cycles and the CAPS upload can be a technical nightmare. Still, we understand the stakes for these young prodigies."
Students’ families, meanwhile, voiced frustration. "My 15‑year‑old scored 92% in the UTME. We’ve been waiting for weeks, and now the deadline moves again. It feels like the system is playing games with our future," lamented a father from Enugu.
Education analysts see this as a symptom of broader logistical challenges. Professor Aisha Bello of the National Universities Commission remarked, "The CAPS framework is a step forward, but we need capacity‑building at the university level to meet its data‑intake requirements, especially when dealing with special categories like under‑age applicants."
Impact on the 2025/2026 Academic Session
Turns out the delay could push the entire admission calendar for under‑age candidates back by a few weeks, potentially compressing the registration window for courses that start in October. If the missed scores aren’t uploaded by the September 30 deadline, those 135 candidates risk missing the final October 30 cut‑off, meaning they would have to re‑apply next year.
That would be a lost opportunity for a cohort that already shows exceptional academic promise. Moreover, it could set a precedent: other universities might be less inclined to meet future deadlines, fearing punitive extensions.
What Comes Next?
JAMB has promised to monitor the 23 lagging institutions closely. "We will engage the Ministry of Education and, if necessary, impose sanctions for non‑compliance," warned Dr. Fabian Benjamin in a follow‑up press release.
The next critical checkpoint is the September 30 deadline for public universities. Should any of the flagged schools still be silent, JAMB may invoke the emergency provision that allows the Board to allocate seats directly from the pool of unassigned candidates.
Meanwhile, the National Examinations Council (NECO) is preparing to release the 2025 SSCE results for the final batch of candidates on September 24, adding another data point that must be synced into CAPS.
Historical Context: CAPS and Admission Reform
Since its rollout in 2018, CAPS has reshaped the admission landscape, moving away from paper‑based processes that were ripe for manipulation. The 2024 policy meeting, held on September 12, set a precedent for strict timelines that JAMB now seeks to replicate.
Back in 2022, a similar delay affected over 200 candidates in the northern zone, prompting a brief suspension of the Post‑UTME scores for those schools. That episode led to the current, more robust CAPS compliance framework.
Key Facts
- Final assessment for under‑age candidates moved to September 19, 2025.
- 23 universities missed the September 15 Post‑UTME deadline.
- 135 candidates are currently in limbo, spread across five universities.
- Public universities must submit CAPS recommendations by September 30, 2025; private by October 31, 2025.
- Absolute final deadlines: October 30 for public, November 30 for private institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the delay affect the 135 under‑age candidates?
The postponed assessment pushes the deadline for their Post‑UTME scores, meaning they now have until the end of October (public) or November (private) to secure a seat. Missing those windows could force them to re‑apply for the 2026/2027 session.
What penalties could universities face for missing CAPS deadlines?
JAMB can invoke emergency allocation of seats, suspend the university’s participation in the current admission cycle, and report persistent non‑compliance to the Ministry of Education for possible funding repercussions.
Why are under‑age candidates allowed to sit for the UTME?
The National Universities Commission permits under‑16 candidates under a special provision to promote early talent development, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields where early exposure can yield long‑term national benefits.
What role does the National Examinations Council play in this process?
NECO supplies the Senior School Certificate Examination results, which are a prerequisite for university admission. Their September 17 release provided the academic records needed for universities to finalize Post‑UTME scores.
When can applicants expect the final admission list?
Assuming all institutions meet the CAPS deadlines, JAMB plans to publish the consolidated admission list by early November 2025. Delays from any university could push that date back by a week or more.