The Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday, July 8, during the official opening of the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the 16-year age benchmark is final and not open to negotiation. He also issued a stern warning that any admissions conducted outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) will be deemed illegal, with institutions and individuals involved facing prosecution.
He further stated that university heads involved in admission malpractice would be held accountable and face legal consequences.
This official position follows a reversal of an earlier directive issued by former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who had instructed JAMB and tertiary institutions to stop admitting candidates younger than 18. That directive was later reviewed during the 2024 JAMB Policy Meeting, held on July 18, where significant opposition from vice chancellors, rectors, registrars, and other top officials led to the reconsideration of the age policy.
As a result, the age limit was adjusted to 16 years—a position now formally upheld by the current administration.
