The Federal Government has officially set the minimum age for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions at 16 years, warning that underage admissions will no longer be tolerated.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new directive in Abuja on Tuesday during the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting.
Alausa said the decision was made to uphold academic integrity and ensure that students are emotionally and mentally mature enough to handle the rigours of higher education.
“We must discourage premature entry into tertiary institutions. Universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must strictly enforce the age limit,” he stated.
The move comes amid rising concerns about students gaining admission into universities before reaching a reasonable level of maturity. Education stakeholders at the event echoed support for the policy, urging institutions to align with global best practices.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to enforcing the new age requirement through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The new policy means students below 16 will have to wait an extra year before sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or gaining entry unless they meet the age requirement by the time of admission.
The announcement is expected to spark conversations among parents, school administrators, and education reform advocates, especially in private schools known for accelerating students’ academic progress.
