Federal Government Sets 16 as Minimum Age for University Admission
In a landmark decision poised to reshape tertiary education, the Federal Government of Nigeria has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into the nation's universities and other tertiary institutions. This significant announcement came from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that this 16-year age benchmark is now official and non-negotiable, effectively ending years of debate and inconsistencies surrounding university entry age. The Minister highlighted that this policy reflects a careful balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness, affirming that students aged 16 are deemed ready for the demanding rigors of higher education.
Strict Adherence to CAPS and Penalties for Fraud
A critical component of this new directive is the unwavering adherence to the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Dr. Alausa issued a stern warning: any admission conducted outside CAPS will be deemed illegal. Institutions found engaging in admission fraud or attempting to circumvent CAPS by altering age records will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
While 16 is the general minimum, the policy does include provisions for exceptions in the case of genuinely gifted children who have demonstrated accelerated educational progress. Such cases, however, must be clearly documented and justified, ensuring that truly exceptional younger students can still be considered under specific, rigorous circumstances.
New Measures to Combat Examination Malpractices
Beyond the age policy, the Minister also unveiled robust new measures to combat examination malpractices, which he described as a "cancer" undermining merit and eroding confidence in Nigeria's education system.
To tackle this pervasive issue, a Central Examination Malpractice Unit will be established within the Federal Ministry of Education, chaired by the Permanent Secretary. This unit will serve as a national clearinghouse, meticulously documenting and reporting malpractice cases across all educational levels. This central database will be accessible to all institutions, aiming to significantly reduce malpractices as offenders will be tried under the existing Exam Malpractices Act.
Furthermore, the government is throwing its full support behind examination bodies like WAEC and NECO to adopt computer-based testing, a move expected to further curb malpractices and enhance the integrity of national examinations.
This definitive decision by the Federal Government to standardize university admissions at 16 marks a significant step, following previous discussions and reversals, including earlier proposals that had suggested an 18-year minimum. It signals a clear commitment to bringing consistency and integrity to Nigeria's tertiary education system.
