Abuja, July 8, 2025 — The Federal Government has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all Nigerian tertiary institutions, a directive announced today by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa during the opening of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2025 policy meeting in Abuja .
Dr. Alausa emphasized that this age limit is “non‑negotiable,” instructing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to strictly adhere to the policy. He further warned that any admission granted to candidates under 16 would be deemed illegal and subject to prosecution. Heads of institutions bypassing the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) risk legal action .
The announcement seeks to balance academic readiness with cognitive maturity, ensuring fairness and transparency in the admission process. According to the Minister, aligning entry age with international standards and the National Policy on Education underpins this measure .
The government’s clampdown on admission malpractices includes a stern reminder that any attempt to manipulate age documentation or evade the CAPS portal will result in prosecution. This enforcement reinforces the administration’s commitment to standardise and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission system .
This policy reversal follows previous debate over raising the age limit to 18. However, the FG’s firm reinstatement of the 16‑year minimum aligns with global educational norms and aims to reduce discrimination against younger but qualified candidates .