The Federal Government has officially declared 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities, reversing previous efforts to raise the threshold to 18 and bringing much-needed clarity to prospective students and their parents.
A Policy Pivot in Abuja
At the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting held on July 8, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed the decision that puts to rest months of uncertainty over who is “old enough” to gain university admission in Nigeria.
This announcement follows a contentious 2024 proposal by former Minister Tahir Mamman, who had pushed for an 18-year minimum, arguing that it aligned better with the country’s 6-3-3-4 education structure. But the backlash was swift and fierce.
Why the 18-Year Push Failed
Universities, parents, and academic unions objected, saying the policy would shut out thousands of qualified 16- and 17-year-olds who had already passed WAEC, NECO, and UTME.
Critics cited cases like Afe Babalola University, where 15-year-olds have successfully thrived academically, proving that age doesn’t always equal readiness.
What’s the New Standard?
16 years is now the official minimum age for university admission in Nigeria.
Gifted students under 16 may still gain access under special exemptions, though guidelines for this are still evolving.
The policy reinforces the need for institutional autonomy, with stakeholders like the Nigerian Union of Teachers advocating that universities should retain some discretion in assessing maturity and readiness.
Broader Implications
This policy shift strikes a balance between:
Protecting students’ developmental readiness,
Encouraging early academic brilliance, and
Maintaining flexibility within a national education framework.
It also removes inconsistencies that have plagued admissions in recent years, allowing institutions and parents to plan with greater confidence.
Final Word
The age-limit debate is now resolved: 16 is the line, not 18. With flexibility for exceptional prodigies, the new directive signals a more inclusive and practical path to higher education in Nigeria.
The focus now shifts to how universities will implement exemptions and whether the policy will help or hinder efforts to reform Nigeria’s broader education system.
