The Federal Government has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the opening of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dr. Alausa emphasised that the 16-year age limit is final and non-negotiable, marking a clear policy directive aimed at standardising admission procedures across the country.
The minister also issued a strong warning against admission malpractice, stating that any admissions processed outside the official Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) would be considered illegal.
“Let me make it clear that the government will not tolerate any form of admission irregularities,” Alausa stated.
“Heads of institutions found culpable of bypassing CAPS or violating the age requirement will face prosecution.”
The new policy comes as part of broader reforms to streamline Nigeria’s education system and ensure compliance with established standards.
By enforcing the 16-year minimum age, the government aims to ensure students possess adequate maturity for tertiary education while maintaining uniformity across institutions.
The minister’s warning against illegal admissions reinforces JAMB’s mandate as the sole body authorised to coordinate university, polytechnic, and college of education admissions in Nigeria.
The CAPS platform was introduced to promote transparency and eliminate backdoor admissions that have plagued the system in the past.
Education stakeholders have largely welcomed the policy clarification, though some have called for proper sensitisation to ensure nationwide compliance.
The government’s tough stance on prosecution signals its commitment to sanitising the admission process and restoring integrity to Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
As the new academic year approaches, all tertiary institutions have been directed to strictly adhere to these guidelines, with JAMB tasked to monitor compliance and report violations to the appropriate authorities.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
