“Why Withhold Our Results?” – Underaged 2025 JAMB Candidates Cry Out After Results Were Seized

 

Some Nigerian students who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), popularly known as JAMB, have taken to social media to express frustration, pain, and confusion after discovering that their results were withheld.

These are not just any candidates – they are underaged students, many of whom will be 16 later this year. According to the rules set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), candidates must be at least 16 years old by the time they gain admission into a higher institution, which usually begins around September.

“I’ll Be 16 in October… Just 12 Days Late!”

One of the most heartbreaking reactions came from a young female candidate who shared her experience online. She revealed that she will be 16 years old in October, which is just a few weeks after universities are expected to begin admitting students. Despite sitting for the exam like everyone else and waiting anxiously for her result, she was shocked to find that her result was not released.

In her words, she said JAMB claimed her result was not released because she is 12 days behind their ‘new year’. She expressed deep disappointment and frustration, saying:

“Now I will have to wait another whole year just because I’m 12 days short of their calendar.”

Her story represents the struggle of many other brilliant, determined students who feel they are being punished simply because of a few days or weeks’ difference in age.

JAMB’s Stance on Age Requirement

Before the 2025 JAMB examination registration began, the board had made it clear that only candidates who will be 16 years old by the time admissions begin would be eligible. However, the situation has become more complicated for those who will turn 16 just after the cutoff period.

Many underaged candidates – some of whom will turn 16 in October, November, or December 2025 – still went ahead to purchase JAMB forms, believing they had a fair chance since they would be 16 by the time they actually start school. These students paid the same fees, followed the same procedures, and sat for the same exam as every other candidate.

Unfortunately, when results were released, many of these underaged candidates discovered that theirs were withheld, without any prior warning or opportunity to appeal.

A Mother’s Lament: “This Is Not Fair!”

The situation has not only affected students but also their parents. A mother of one of the affected girls also came online to express her anger and disappointment.

Her daughter, who will be 16 by October, had her result withheld as well. The mother could not hide her frustration as she asked:

“How can they allow these children to register and write the exam, then turn around to seize their results just because of age? Why not stop them at the point of registration if they’re not qualified?”

Many Nigerians are now asking the same question: If JAMB knew these children would be considered ineligible due to age, why allow them to register and take the exam in the first place?

Calls for Clarity, Compassion, and Reform

This controversy has triggered widespread debate, with many calling on JAMB to be more transparent and compassionate, especially when it comes to setting and enforcing rules that affect the future of young Nigerians.

Some people argue that the age of a candidate should not be the main issue if they pass the exam and are ready for higher education. Others believe that the age limit is necessary to ensure emotional and psychological maturity before entering university.

Regardless of which side people are on, it’s clear that many affected students feel betrayed, especially since they were allowed to go through the entire exam process – from registration to sitting for the paper – only to be blocked at the final stage when it mattered most.

At NaijaRush, we’ll continue to follow this story and bring you updates on how JAMB responds to these cries for justice. If you or someone you know is affected by this issue, feel free to share your story with us. Let’s keep the conversation going and push for a better, fairer education system for all Nigerian students.