FG SETS NON-NEGOTIABLE MINIMUM ADMISSION AGE OF 16 FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL ADMISSIONS

The Federal Government has officially established 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, declaring the policy “not negotiable” and warning that all admissions must comply strictly with regulatory protocols.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday July 8th during the ongoing 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja. The meeting, which brings together key stakeholders from the education sector, sets the tone for the yearly admission process into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
In a firm declaration, Dr. Alausa stated, “The minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria remains 16 years. This policy is not negotiable.” He further emphasized that the directive is now binding on all tertiary institutions, both public and private, as part of efforts to standardize academic entry requirements and protect the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.
The Minister also issued a clear warning against any attempt to circumvent the centralized admission system operated through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). According to him, any admissions carried out outside the CAPS framework would be considered illegal.
“CAPS is the only recognized platform for processing all admissions into tertiary institutions. Any institution or official found admitting students outside this process will be sanctioned. This includes possible prosecution of heads of institutions who violate this regulation,” Dr. Alausa cautioned.
The announcement settles years of uncertainty and debate surrounding the appropriate age for admission into tertiary institutions. While earlier reports had suggested consideration of raising the minimum age to 18, the latest policy move now provides clarity and finality, anchoring the threshold at 16.
Stakeholders have welcomed the pronouncement as a step toward better aligning Nigeria’s education system with international standards, promoting academic readiness, and reducing cases of underage students struggling to cope with the demands of higher education.
The 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting is expected to finalize other crucial admission guidelines for the upcoming academic session, including cut-off marks, admission quotas, and timelines for various phases of the admission cycle.