The Federal Government (FG) has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into all tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This new directive is aimed at streamlining the academic journey of students and ensuring that only candidates with adequate cognitive and emotional maturity are considered eligible for higher education studies in the country.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 8, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held in Abuja. This annual policy meeting brings together key stakeholders in the education sector to discuss and set important guidelines for the upcoming academic year.
Dr. Alausa highlighted that the decision to fix the age limit at 16 was a carefully considered one, aimed at balancing students' cognitive development with academic preparedness. He emphasized that the age requirement is mandatory and should not be viewed as optional or open to negotiation by any institution or individual.
“This policy reflects a deliberate balance between cognitive maturity and academic readiness. It is crucial that students are mature enough to handle the rigors of higher education, and as such, sixteen years is non-negotiable,” Dr. Alausa stated firmly while addressing attendees at the policy meeting.
In addition, Dr. Alausa issued a stern warning to all heads of tertiary institutions, noting that any school found to be admitting students below the age limit or outside the approved Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) framework would face serious sanctions. He further added that individuals involved in admission malpractice, including heads of institutions, would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The policy also revisits a similar directive issued by former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, who had initially suggested that candidates below 18 years of age should not be admitted into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions. However, after extensive consultations and feedback from stakeholders during the 2024 JAMB policy meeting, the proposed age was revised downward to 16 years, which has now been officially adopted as the new national standard.
Education experts and members of the public have since reacted to the announcement, with many commending the move as a step towards strengthening the quality of higher education in Nigeria and safeguarding the well-being of young students.