JAMB Announces New Minimum Age Requirement for Nigerian Universities

 

JAMB Announces New Minimum Age Requirement for Nigerian Universities
JAMB Announces New Minimum Age Requirement for Nigerian Universities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) clarified information about admission requirements for colleges and universities in Nigeria.

At the policy meeting, which was held on Thursday 18th July 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, the minister of Education, Tahir Mamman made a decision that admission should not be given to candidates under the age of 18.

 

The recent announcement by the Minister of Education regarding the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria has sparked a conversation among educators and parents. While some agree with the policy, others have expressed conerns.

According to him, the 18-year benchmark is linked to with the structure of the 6-3-3-4 system of education.

“JAMB is hereby instructed from admission this year to admit only eligible students. That is those who have attained 18 years by our laws,” He stated.

 

 

The Minister explained that current Nigerian law sets out a specific timeframe for primary, secondary, and tertiary education. This structure is designed for students to reach 18 years old by the time they complete secondary school and potentially qualify for university admission.”

This clarifies the Minister’s argument that the 18-year minimum age is already established by law.

“Our laws require students to be in school from six years – Yes, there are those who do that from five –  and remain in primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years… It doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law,” he added.

Professor Mamman also mentioned the Ministry of Education’s efforts to offer a wider range of educational programs. This includes providing opportunities to develop practical skills starting in primary school.”

 

 

The 2024 policy meeting about admissions for higher education in Nigeria included a discussion about the minimum age for starting university. There were different ideas presented by the stakeholders, and after considering all the input, a final decision was made about the admission age.”

Some participants at the meeting expressed concern that students who had already taken the admissions test might be affected by a new age requirement.”

 

 

Professor Kayode Ijiadunola countered the minister’s proposal at a policy meeting. He suggested 16 as the minimum age for admission, and his idea resonated with many participants, including heads of institutions, registrars, and admissions officers.

“What happens to those who have written this year’s exams and passed their exams? We reject 18 years as the minimum age requirement and are proposing 16 years,” he said.

“The only point is they have taken examinations and at that time they were not told or aware and therefore if we want to enforce it, it should be from subsequent years,” Professor Oloyede added.

The minister replies “I can work with that but I want to remind you of one thing, even that argument cannot stand if we want to go by the law which states 6-3-3-4 as our system of education, it won’t stand but for practical reasons, for this year, I will allow it to stand.”

“Professor Oloyede then spoke again to address the minister’s decision. “We thank the minister for conceding but from next year we will enforce it.”
At the 2024 JAMB policy meeting on education, Professor  Tahir Mamman, the chairman, proposed raising the minimum admission age for universities and colleges to 18.

In Summary, this year (2024), 16-year-olds who applied to tertiary institutions can still be admitted, but Starting next year (2025), the minimum age to enter these schools will be 18.

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