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JAMB Age Requirement for 2024/2025 Admissions: Candidates Turning 16 by August 31 Are Eligible| JAMB Exam 2025

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced that candidates who turn 16 years old by August 31, 2025, will be eligible for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions during the 2024/2025 academic session. This clarification addresses concerns raised over the newly introduced JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions, following policy changes by the Ministry of Education.

In July, the Federal Ministry of Education announced a new policy raising the minimum age for university admission to 18 years, which will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. The policy aims to ensure that students are mature enough to handle the demands of higher education and complete the required years in primary and secondary school before taking the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

However, JAMB has assured candidates that for the 2024/2025 academic year, institutions can admit students who will reach 16 years of age by August 31, 2025. The board made this decision after recognizing that some universities and polytechnics expect their admission process for the 2024/2025 session to extend into July 2025. Consequently, the JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions remains at 16 years until the policy change takes full effect in the following session.

Temporary Exemption for 2024/2025 Admissions

JAMB released a statement clarifying that any institution willing to admit candidates turning 16 years old by August 31, 2025, will be allowed to do so. The board emphasized that this exemption will apply only for the 2024/2025 admissions cycle, after which the JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions will be revised according to the Ministry of Education’s new policy.

Institutions have been instructed to submit lists of candidates who meet this age requirement, with a deadline set for one week after JAMB’s official notification. This exemption is intended to ensure fairness for younger candidates who meet all other admission criteria but might have been affected by the sudden JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions change.

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Debate Over the Age Policy Change

The new age policy, which will require candidates to be at least 18 years old starting from the 2025/2026 academic session, has sparked intense debate. While some stakeholders support the move, others argue that it may unfairly limit access to tertiary education for students who are academically advanced but younger than 18. Critics of the policy also point out that some students complete secondary school at 15 or 16 and should not be forced to delay their education due to the revised JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions.

On the other hand, supporters of the policy believe that it will ensure students are mature enough to handle the academic and social demands of tertiary education. They argue that younger students often struggle with the pressures of university life, and delaying admission until 18 could improve their academic performance and overall well-being.

What This Means for 2024/2025 Candidates

For candidates seeking admission in the 2024/2025 academic session, JAMB’s decision provides a temporary solution. If you will turn 16 by August 31, 2025, you are still eligible to apply for admission under the JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions. However, students who are younger than this cutoff may need to wait for the 2025/2026 session, when the new 18-year age requirement will officially take effect.

To avoid confusion, candidates are advised to:

Check their birth dates and confirm whether they meet the JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions.
Stay updated with official announcements from JAMB and their chosen institutions.
Contact JAMB-approved CBT centers for registration assistance.

Final Thoughts

JAMB’s temporary exemption for the 2024/2025 session ensures that students in this transition period are not left out of the admissions process. While the JAMB age requirement for 2024/2025 admissions still allows 16-year-old candidates, students applying in subsequent years must prepare for the 18-year minimum age policy.

As JAMB works towards implementing these changes, candidates should follow official guidelines, confirm their eligibility, and complete their registration within the specified timeframe. The debate over the ideal admission age will likely continue, but for now, students turning 16 by August 31, 2025, can proceed with their university admission plans.

For more JAMB updates and university admission information, visit the official JAMB website here.

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