Nigeria Approves 16 Years As Minimum Age For Tertiary School Admission
Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Tuesday, July 8th, 2025
(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, has stated that the federal government has set the minimum age for tertiary school admissions at 16 years.
Alausa stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2025 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
It is worth recalling that in July 2024, Tahir Mamman, the former minister for education, had set 18 as the minimum age for university admission.
However, his successor, Alausa changed this policy to tentatively cap the admission age at a minimum of 16.
JAMB also added that exceptionally intelligent candidates who are below 16 could sit for its annual Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
In October 2024, a landmark ruling in Delta ruled that JAMB could not legally put a minimum age requirement and the ruling effectively cancelled JAMB’s minimum age policy.
However, the board, in February 2025, announced that it had sought a stay of execution on the matter until a then-ongoing appeal.
During the JAMB policy meeting, Alausa stated that Nigeria has officially adopted 16 as the minimum age for tertiary school admissions.
“The issue of age at entry into tertiary institutions has generated much debate, but our position is clear,” the minister said.
“The entry age for admission into tertiary institutions is now officially pegged at 16 years. It was reduced from 18, which was to be effective from this year’s exercise, to the need for this compliance.
“This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. Sixteen years of age for admission is non-negotiable. Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance.
“We understand there may be a few exceptional cases, and provisions have already been made for legitimate exceptions, especially for gifted children or those with accelerated educational progress.
“However, this must be demonstrated and documented, and it must be justified.
“The ministry is firm in its resolve, and those attempting to circumvent this policy by altering age records will be sanctioned accordingly.”
Short URL: https://www.africanexaminer.com/?p=103481
