The management of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo has begun refusing acceptance fees to admission seekers who are not up to 16.

Some parents have cried out that the institution rejected applicants who are  under-17.

But spokesman for the institution, Mr. Isaac Oluyi, said it was a policy of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Oluyi explained the affected students were made to know that it was a policy of JAMB and not of the institution.

He said JAMB issued the notice last Thursday after many applicants have paid acceptance fees.

According to him: “We have no policy on age concerning admission. JAMB alongside the Ministry of Education came up with policy that those under 16 should not be admitted.

“Admission letter will come from JAMB and not the university. For us as an institution, we do not want to tarnish our image, if you do not meet up with the  requirement of JAMB and have paid acceptance fees, we are refunding them. 

“We make it clear to them that it is JAMb policy and not our policy. We will admit those who are 17. It is 16 that JAMB is talking about. If you are not up to 16, you can’t be admitted. We are still doing screening and we have to abide by their policy.

“Universities have no power over admission because admission letters will come from JAMB. It is not our policy not to admit students who are under 16. We have to comply. We are doing everything to ensure that everybody qualified is admitted.”