The Federal Government of Nigeria has adjusted its stance on the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions, now permitting candidates as young as 16 years for the 2023/2024 academic year.
This decision was reached following contentious deliberations at the ongoing policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting, crucial for setting admission guidelines annually, initially sparked uproar when Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, declared that only candidates aged 18 and above would qualify for admission, prompting widespread dissent among stakeholders.
“The law requires children to be in school by 18, adhering to structured educational phases,” Mamman reiterated amidst the chaotic scene.
However, order was restored with the intervention of JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who facilitated a compromise acknowledging the stakeholders’ concerns. Consequently, the Minister acquiesced to allowing admissions for applicants aged 16 and above for the current academic cycle, with the age requirement law to take full effect next year.
The adjustment aims to ensure fairness in the 2024/2024 admission process, emphasizing adherence to the Central Application Process (CAP) to curb irregularities in admissions.
