The Minister of Education has announced a key policy change for the 2025 admission cycle in Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions. According to the Minister, candidates under 16 years old will not be eligible for admission, regardless of their academic achievements. This decision was made at the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting in Abuja, attended by education stakeholders from across the country.
Consequences for Institutions
The Minister warned that institutions admitting underage candidates will face sanctions from the Federal Ministry of Education. The Minister emphasized that the 16-year age limit is a national education guideline that must be strictly followed.
Rationale Behind the Age Limit
The age limit aims to ensure students are emotionally and physically prepared for tertiary education. It also seeks to prevent institutions from admitting students who may not be ready for the demands of higher education.
