FG Sets 16 As Minimum Age For Admission Into Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government has formally declared 16 years as the non-negotiable minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

This was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja on Tuesday.

While declaring the meeting open, Alausa stated that the new age benchmark has now become official policy and warned that institutions must adhere strictly to it in all future admissions.

“Let me make it clear, no institution should admit any candidate below the age of 16. This is now the official policy of the Federal Government, and it is not negotiable,” the minister said.

Dr. Alausa also issued a stern warning to heads of tertiary institutions across the country, stressing that any admissions conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) would be regarded as illegal.

“Any vice-chancellor, rector, or provost involved in circumventing CAPS or engaging in admission racketeering will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he added.

The JAMB Policy Meeting is an annual event that sets the operational framework for the conduct of admissions into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria for the upcoming academic session.

The minister’s pronouncement comes amid growing concerns over underaged admissions and irregularities in the admissions process, which have plagued the system in recent years.

Education stakeholders at the meeting also deliberated on the general performance of candidates in the 2025 UTME, the adoption of institutional cut-off marks, and timelines for the completion of admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year.