ABUJA: In a landmark policy shift, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for university admission and has also increased the minimum age for completing secondary education to 16.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the opening of the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The new policy ensures students are both cognitively mature and emotionally ready for the rigors of higher education.
Age 16 is now the benchmark both for graduating from secondary school and entering any Nigerian tertiary institution, Alausa stated.
According to the Minister, the policy was introduced to address increasing concerns over academic immaturity, poor social integration, and mental health challenges among underage students in tertiary institutions.
Dr. Alausa warned that any tertiary institution found admitting candidates below the required age will face sanctions and legal actions.
He also cautioned school administrators and parents against falsifying students’ ages just to meet the new criteria.There will be no compromise.
Institutions and officials involved in admission fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
The announcement has triggered widespread debate among Nigerians, both online and offline.
Many parents and education stakeholders have welcomed the policy, calling it a step in the right direction.
This move will help curb the trend of sending children who are not mentally ready into the university system, said Mrs. Jumai Ogundele, a school administrator in Lagos.
However, some Nigerians have criticized the decision, arguing it could delay academic progress and penalize gifted children who complete their studies early.
What about students who finish early due to academic brilliance? Should we hold them back just because of age?” questioned Chinedu Nwachukwu, a parent in Enugu.
Student groups have also raised concerns, urging the Ministry to clarify how the new policy would affect current students preparing for university.
Over the years, the government has battled with the issue of underage students gaining admission into tertiary institutions, sometimes as young as 13 or 14. Education experts have long argued that such students often struggle with the academic and social pressures of higher education.
This policy aims to standardize Nigeria’s education timeline in line with global best practices and to foster better student development.
The Ministry of Education is expected to release detailed implementation guidelines in the coming days, including how the policy will affect admission into federal, state, and private institutions in 2025 and beyond.
