The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially set 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into all tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday during the opening session of the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
According to Alausa, the policy reflects a deliberate balance between cognitive maturity and academic readiness. He emphasized that the 16-year benchmark is non-negotiable, and institutions must strictly adhere to it.
“The issue of age at entry has generated much debate, but our position is clear—the entry age for admission is now officially pegged at 16 years,” he said. “This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness.”
The Minister stressed that any institution found circumventing the directive by manipulating age records will face sanctions. However, he noted that legitimate exceptions will be considered, particularly for gifted children and candidates with accelerated learning paths, provided such exceptions are clearly demonstrated and properly documented.
“The Ministry is firm in its resolve,” Alausa added. “Those admitting to destroy this policy by altering age records will be sanctioned accordingly.”
The announcement is expected to affect admission processes nationwide, as tertiary institutions begin preparations for the 2025/2026 academic session.
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