JUST IN: FG sets tertiary institution admission age at 16

The Federal Government has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

This policy was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the new age benchmark is final and non-negotiable, stressing that institutions must strictly adhere to the guideline moving forward.

“The minimum age for admission into any tertiary institution in Nigeria is now officially 16 years. We will no longer tolerate underage admissions,” the minister said.

He also warned that any admission conducted outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) will be considered illegal and perpetrators will face prosecution. CAPS is the centralized platform created by JAMB to ensure transparency and fairness in the admission process.

Furthermore, the minister issued a strong caution to vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts against indulging in admission racketeering, stating that any violation of the guidelines will attract serious legal consequences.