JAMB Underage Screening 2025: What You Need To Know

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that underage candidates for the 2025/2026 admission cycle will undergo physical screening in just three locations—Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri—between September 22 and 26. In total, about 599 candidates are expected to participate, broken down as follows:

• 397 in Lagos
• 136 in Owerri
• 66 in Abuja

While the move might seem like a standard administrative process, it has raised serious concerns about security, cost, and convenience for families.

The Security Risk

Nigeria is still grappling with insecurity across many regions. Forcing parents and guardians to travel long distances with their underage wards exposes them to avoidable risks. What’s troubling is that this is happening at a time when safer alternatives are readily available.

The Financial Burden

Parents have already invested heavily in the admission journey—registration fees, preparatory materials, transport, and more. Adding the cost of traveling to Lagos, Abuja, or Owerri for a short screening session feels unfair and unnecessary.

Why Not Go Virtual?

Ironically, the special committee that made this decision met virtually. If the officials themselves trusted online meetings, why can’t the same method be extended to candidates? Virtual interviews are already standard in many parts of the world. They reduce cost, minimize security risks, and save time.

Even more paradoxical, JAMB has long prided itself on innovation—pioneering computer-based testing (CBT) for UTME. Yet, it is concluding this process with outdated manual screening. That feels like one step forward, two steps back.

A Better Path Forward

In today’s digital era, JAMB should prioritize virtual interviews using secure and proven platforms. It’s the smarter, safer, and more efficient option—not just for candidates, but for their families as well.