The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a significant adjustment to the minimum age requirement for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This decision, which was made public on Thursday, October 17, 2024, comes after mounting pressure from parents and concerned stakeholders.
JAMB revealed that candidates who will turn 16 by August 31, 2025, are now eligible to be admitted into universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions for the 2024/2025 academic session. The board explained that this decision is meant to accommodate institutions that may continue their admission processes into the next year.
“This effort is to ensure equity because those whose 2024 admission would last till August 2025 would not be unduly favoured. Any institution that insists on its 16 years being within the year 2024 is completely free to do so,” the statement added.
The initial decision regarding the minimum admission age was set earlier in 2024 at the annual Policy Meeting, where it was agreed that 16 would be the minimum age for admission into any Nigerian tertiary institution. At the time, the cut-off date for candidates to meet the age requirement was December 31, 2024.
However, the original deadline sparked mixed reactions from parents and the general public. While some supported the move, others raised concerns that the December 2024 deadline might unfairly disqualify capable candidates who would only reach the required age in 2025.
