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Court Declares JAMB’s Minimum Admission Age Unconstitutional | JAMB Exam 2025

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has no legal right to set a minimum age for university admission, declaring the 16-year age requirement unconstitutional. The ruling follows a case where a 15-year-old student was denied admission due to JAMB’s policy.

Why the Court Ruled Against JAMB

The court ruled that JAMB’s restriction violated the Nigerian Constitution and the Child Rights Act, both of which guarantee access to education without arbitrary limitations. It stated that JAMB, as an exam body, should focus on testing candidates rather than imposing age limits.

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What This Means for Students and Universities

More Access for Younger Students – Bright students who complete secondary school before turning 16 can now gain admission without delays.
Potential Readiness Concerns – Critics worry that younger students may struggle with university-level independence and challenges.
Universities May Set Their Own Policies – Some institutions may still enforce age requirements, leading to varying admission policies.
JAMB May Appeal – The exam board might challenge the ruling or work with the Ministry of Education to introduce new guidelines.

Reactions and Next Steps

While many parents and education advocates celebrate the ruling, some university officials express concerns about students’ maturity levels. Universities may need to introduce mentorship programs to support younger students.

Moving forward, policymakers must ensure this change benefits students while maintaining academic standards. If implemented wisely, the ruling could create a more flexible and inclusive education system.

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

For more school updates, click here

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