BREAKING: Tinubu’s Govt Sets Minimum Age for Tertiary School Admission
- The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has set a minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in the country
- The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said 16 years is the minimum age for tertiary institution admission
- Alausa's announcement on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, solidifies a stance that has seen some back-and-forth discussions in the past
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide
FCT, Abuja - The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has pegged the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the federal government has set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
Source: Twitter
As reported by TheCable, Alausa stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2025 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Alausa said that this policy reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness.
16 years minimum age non-negotiable
According to The Guardian, the minister warned that the minimum entry age of 16 is non-negotiable, and all institutions are directed to strictly comply with this regulation.
He also issued a stern warning that any admission conducted outside of the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) would be deemed illegal.
Alausa said those found to be involved in such fraudulent admissions, including heads of institutions, would face prosecution.
Recall that former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, pegged the age for admission into tertiary institutions at 18 years old.
Professor Mamman said underage students are responsible for some of the problems in Nigerian higher institutions.
Source: Facebook
Senate speaks on minimum age for university admission
Recall that Legit.ng reported that Nigerians would now heave a sigh of relief as the Senate reaffirms the 16-year age limit for University admissions in Nigeria.
The development arose following the outcome of the just-concluded results of UTME candidates in the just-concluded exams after the Minister of education disclosed that there will be a review of the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The Senate spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu, clarified the age limit and shared further details.
Read more JAMB/UTME stories:
- JAMB 2025: Anambra, Imo, Other States With Top UTME Exam Malpractices
- JAMB Releases 3 Key Requirements for UTME Candidates to Be Listed on National Matriculation List
- 2025 UTME: JAMB Introduces Ranking on Result Slips of 1.9m Candidates, “370 Is Ranked 16th”
- JAMB 2025: List of 9 UTME Candidates with the Highest Scores, and their States of Origin
Minister sends message on minimum admission age
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that some education stakeholders expressed concerns about the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions.
The stakeholders noted that many of those categorised as underage candidates had already taken the 2024 UTME without anticipating the latest directive from Nigerian authorities.
Subsequently, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, agreed to grant a one-time waiver for 16-year-old candidates to be admitted for 2024 only.
Source: Legit.ng
