FG sets 16 as official minimum age for tertiary admission in Nigeria
The Federal Government has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
@dailyeconomy8 Video: FG pegs minimum admission age at 16 The Federal Government has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In a landmark announcement during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, emphasised the government’s firm stance on the issue, which has sparked widespread debate in recent years. He stated, “The issue of age at entry into tertiary institutions has generated much debate, but our position is clear. The entry age for admission into tertiary institution is now officially pegged at 16 years.” Previously, the minimum entry age was set at 18 years, a policy that was slated to take effect in this year’s admission exercise. However, Alausa said after careful consideration, the FG has revised this age downward to better align with students’ cognitive and academic readiness. He explained, “This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. Sixteen years of age as admission as the official age is not negotiable.” He further directed all tertiary institutions across the country to ensure strict compliance with the new age requirement, underscoring the government’s commitment to standardizing admission criteria nationwide. “Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance,” the Minister added. This policy shift is expected to have significant implications for the academic landscape in Nigeria, potentially allowing younger but academically prepared students earlier access to higher education opportunities. Stakeholders in the education sector are now gearing up to implement the directive ahead of the upcoming admission cycles. Follow us for more updates
In a landmark announcement during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, emphasised the government’s firm stance on the issue, which has sparked widespread debate in recent years.
He stated, “The issue of age at entry into tertiary institutions has generated much debate, but our position is clear. The entry age for admission into tertiary institution is now officially pegged at 16 years.”
Previously, the minimum entry age was set at 18 years, a policy that was slated to take effect in this year’s admission exercise.
However, Alausa said after careful consideration, the FG has revised this age downward to better align with students’ cognitive and academic readiness.
He explained, “This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. Sixteen years of age as admission as the official age is not negotiable.”
He further directed all tertiary institutions across the country to ensure strict compliance with the new age requirement, underscoring the government’s commitment to standardizing admission criteria nationwide.
“Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance,” the Minister added.
This policy shift is expected to have significant implications for the academic landscape in Nigeria, potentially allowing younger but academically prepared students earlier access to higher education opportunities. Stakeholders in the education sector are now gearing up to implement the directive ahead of the upcoming admission cycles.
