Federal Government Sets 16 as Minimum Admission Age for Tertiary Institutions

 The Federal Government has established 16 as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, a policy announced by Education Minister Tunji Alausa on July 8, 2025, during the JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja. 

The directive, aimed at ensuring students are adequately prepared for higher education, requires candidates to have reached 16 by the year of admission, effective for the 2025/2026 academic session. This move aligns with efforts to standardize educational progression, following concerns raised in previous policy discussions about the readiness of younger students.

The minister emphasized the importance of completing secondary education, though no specific international benchmarks were cited in the announcement. The policy applies to all public and private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with JAMB tasked to enforce age verification through birth records or other official documents. 

No exact number of affected candidates was provided, but the decision has sparked varied responses, with some stakeholders awaiting further clarification. Implementation details, including potential exemptions, will be outlined in a forthcoming ministry circular, with the policy set to begin with the next admission cycle.