Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, announced a sweeping ban on students below 18 years from participating in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
The directive was issued during his address at the ongoing 2024 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Speaking to a gathering of key stakeholders including university vice-chancellors, polytechnic rectors, and college of education provosts, the minister emphasized the need for adherence to existing legal frameworks. “JAMB is hereby instructed to admit only eligible students this year, those who have attained 18 years as per our laws,” Prof. Mamman stated firmly.
The announcement was met with discontent among the participants, causing a brief disruption in proceedings until calm was restored. Responding to concerns raised, the minister reiterated the legal requirement for students to be 18 years old, having completed the mandatory educational stages.
“The law mandates that children should be in school by 18, following six years in primary school, three in junior secondary, and three in senior secondary,” the minister explained, urging compliance with established regulations.
Addressing the fairness of the admission process for the upcoming academic year, Prof. Mamman affirmed the ministry’s commitment to the Central Application Process (CAP) and warned against any deviation from the prescribed guidelines.
In reaction to the minister’s directive, a participant who preferred anonymity expressed skepticism, stating, “That is not feasible. How can a student who has passed WAEC and JAMB be denied admission?” Criticism was also directed at JAMB for purportedly allowing underage candidates to sit for the examinations.
