By John Umeh
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its stance that students seeking admission into any tertiary institution must be at least 16 years old, effectively disqualifying underage candidates from participating in the 2025/2026 admission cycle. The policy, long embedded in the guidelines of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has now been strongly emphasized by education authorities to ensure strict compliance across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Reinforcing an Existing Rule
Speaking at a press briefing following the 2025 JAMB policy meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, reiterated that “no candidate below the age of 16 should be considered for admission into any tertiary institution in Nigeria.” He explained that the regulation is not new but has often been disregarded by both candidates and institutions, leading to inconsistencies in academic preparedness and maturity levels among admitted students.
According to the minister, enforcing the minimum age policy is part of a broader effort to restore discipline, standardize admissions, and ensure students are developmentally ready for the academic and social demands of higher education.
Institutions to Enforce Compliance
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, confirmed that candidates who are under 16 as of October 1, 2025 — the cutoff date for the new academic session — will not be processed for admission, regardless of their UTME scores or performance in post-UTME screenings.
“We’ve seen cases where 14-year-olds are being pushed into the university system. That is against national policy. The age limit is clear — 16 is the minimum,” Prof. Oloyede stated.
Universities and other tertiary institutions have been directed to cross-check applicants’ birth certificates and age declarations during the admission process. Any institution found admitting underage candidates may face sanctions, including withdrawal of admission quotas or blacklisting from future admission exercises.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The age policy has drawn varied reactions from stakeholders. While many education experts, teachers, and parents have welcomed the move as necessary for academic maturity, others see it as a potential barrier for exceptionally bright students who complete their secondary education early.
Mr. Oladele Adebayo, a school principal in Lagos, remarked, “Students who rush into the university at 14 or 15 often struggle emotionally and socially. It’s not just about academics — it’s about mental preparedness.”
However, some parents argue that the policy could discourage gifted students or delay academic progression unnecessarily. They call for flexibility in rare cases where students demonstrate exceptional capacity.
Broader Implications for Education Planning
With over 1.9 million candidates sitting for the 2025 UTME, the age cap may affect thousands who completed secondary school earlier than average. The FG has advised such students to explore alternatives such as A-level programs, pre-degree foundations, vocational training, or skill acquisition schemes while they wait to meet the age requirement.
Experts believe this development could encourage a more structured education timeline across primary and secondary schools, especially as private schools are known for fast-tracking academic progression without regard for age or cognitive development.
Conclusion
As Nigeria continues its drive to improve the quality of education and align with global standards, the enforcement of a minimum admission age of 16 sends a clear message about readiness and responsibility in tertiary education. The Federal Government and JAMB have stated unequivocally that this rule is non-negotiable moving forward, and institutions are now expected to uphold it in full compliance for the 2025/2026 admission cycle and beyond.
