In a significant policy shift, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has announced a prohibition on admitting candidates under the age of 18 into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The decision was disclosed during the 2024 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
"Mamman informed JAMB of the immediate ban on admitting underaged students below the age of 18 into our tertiary institutions for the 2024 admissions," he declared.
The minister emphasized that the Federal Government is contemplating setting 18 years as the minimum age requirement for university and other tertiary admissions, aligning with the 6-3-3-4 educational system. Additionally, he highlighted the Ministry of Education's initiative to introduce skill development programs for primary school students who may not meet the new admission criteria.
This move marks a pivotal change aimed at standardizing the entry age into higher education institutions across Nigeria.
