The Federal Government has officially pegged the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria at 16 years.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), held in Abuja.
Alausa stated that the decision is now binding on all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country, warning institutions against flouting the directive.
“This decision balances cognitive development with academic readiness,” he said. “Institutions must ensure strict compliance. We expect that this standard will streamline the admission process and reduce pressure on students who may not yet be psychologically prepared for higher education.”
The new policy marks a formal reversal of the 2024 directive by former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who raised the minimum age to 18 — a decision that sparked backlash among parents and stakeholders in the education sector.
Although Alausa had allowed institutions to admit students from age 16 in last year’s admission cycle, his latest announcement now solidifies it as the official national benchmark.
He, however, noted that exceptions could be made for gifted students who complete their secondary education earlier than usual, provided that such cases are well documented and justified.
“We recognise there may be exceptional situations involving children with accelerated academic progress. These will be treated on a case-by-case basis with thorough documentation,” he added.
Education experts have welcomed the policy shift, saying it aligns Nigeria’s admission age with global practices while offering flexibility for academically advanced students.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the JAMB policy meeting sets the tone annually for admission guidelines, including cut-off marks, eligibility criteria, and timelines for the academic session.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
