By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the policy during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Declaring the age limit “official and non-negotiable,” Alausa warned institutions to adhere strictly to the new guideline, stressing that any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will be deemed illegal.
He also issued a strong warning to institutional heads involved in admission malpractice, stating that offenders would face prosecution in line with existing laws.
The annual JAMB policy meeting determines the framework for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country for the upcoming academic session.
