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Source: EduTimes
The Federal Government has officially set the age limit for university admission in Nigeria at 16 years, beginning with the 2025/2026 academic session. This new policy, backed by JAMB and NUC, applies to all federal, state, and private universities across the country.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held on Tuesday.
Dr. Alausa explained that the decision aims to strike a balance between academic preparedness and cognitive maturity, reversing the earlier age limit of 18 introduced by his predecessor, Tahir Mamman, which sparked nationwide debate in 2024.
“We understand there may be a few exceptional cases,” the Minister noted, “especially for gifted children or those with accelerated academic progress. But such cases must be well-documented and justified.”
With this announcement, all higher institutions in Nigeria have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the 16-year age benchmark for admissions. The policy takes immediate effect for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This clarification brings an end to the controversy surrounding age eligibility in the Nigerian tertiary education sector and provides clear guidance to prospective candidates and their guardians.
English
The reinstated 16-year minimum age reflects efforts to balance academic excellence with maturity and well-being. While the policy addresses legitimate concerns, its long-term success will hinge on flexibility, enforcement, and mechanisms to support exceptional youths.