The Federal Government has clarified its position on the contentious age-16 entry requirement for tertiary institutions across the country.
While generally upholding this standard, it has granted exceptions for specific cases, particularly gifted children and those who have demonstrated accelerated educational progress.
“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,” the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said on Tuesday.
Alausa announced this at the 2025 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), currently underway in Abuja.
Persecondnews recalls that Prof.Tahir Mamman, the immediate past Minister for Education, had set the minimum admission age at 18 in July 2024, while JAMB allowed exceptionally brilliant candidates under 16 to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Irked by the Minister’s directive, an aggrieved parent took the case to court, and in October 2024, a landmark ruling in Delta ruled that JAMB could not legally impose a minimum age requirement, effectively nullifying its policy.
In October 2024, following Mamman’s removal in a cabinet reshuffle, his successor, Alausa, reversed the policy, setting the minimum admission age at 16.
The board, in February 2025, revealed that it had sought a stay of execution on the case pending a then-ongoing appeal.
Persecondnews reports that at the JAMB policy meeting on Tuesday, Alausa announced that Nigeria has officially set 16 as the minimum age for tertiary school admissions.
He said: “The issue of age at entry into tertiary institutions has generated much debate, but our position is clear. 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.”
On the exemptions for gifted children, the minister said: “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.”
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