The Federal Government has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the opening session of the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.
“This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. Sixteen years is non-negotiable,” Dr. Alausa declared.
The Minister emphasized that the new age threshold is mandatory and binding on all institutions, and warned that any university or tertiary institution found violating this directive or engaging in admission fraud will face strict legal action.
“Institutional heads involved in any form of admission malpractice will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he added.
The decision is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to reform and standardize the country’s higher education system, ensuring fairness, integrity, and improved academic standards across the board.
