The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions across the country is 16 years.
This position was declared by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, during the opening session of the Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Alausa emphasized that the age requirement is not open to negotiation, stating that the government has firmly resolved to enforce this age limit. He added that institutions must strictly comply with this policy in all admission processes.
The Minister further warned that any admission carried out outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS)—the recognized digital platform for managing tertiary admissions in Nigeria—will be deemed illegal.
According to him, institutions or individuals involved in unauthorized or fraudulent admissions will face appropriate legal actions and prosecution.
He particularly warned heads of tertiary institutions to desist from engaging in or endorsing any form of admission malpractice, including the admission of underage candidates.
This development follows a previous directive issued by former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who had earlier ordered JAMB and tertiary institutions to discontinue the admission of candidates below the age of 18 into higher education programmes. However, this policy met with widespread opposition from key stakeholders in the education sector.
During the 2024 JAMB Policy Meeting held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Abuja, Prof. Mamman revised his earlier position following appeals from vice chancellors, rectors, registrars, and other principal officers of higher institutions.
The stakeholders collectively advocated for the recognition of 16 as the more realistic and inclusive minimum age, prompting a shift in government policy.
In line with the outcome of that meeting and following a comprehensive review, the Federal Ministry of Education has now formalized 16 years as the official minimum age for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions in the country.
The announcement by Dr. Alausa on July 8, 2025, serves as a firm reiteration of this standard and a clear warning to all institutions to adhere strictly to admission policies as stipulated by JAMB and the Ministry of Education.