The debate over Nigeria’s minimum admission age policy has taken another twist, and this time, parents in Ekiti State are at the forefront of the conversation. They are urging the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Federal Government, and even President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the rule that only candidates who are already 16 years old can gain admission into universities.
According to the parents, the current system is unfair to many young Nigerians who excel in their exams but are locked out of higher education simply because of their date of birth.
📌 What the Ekiti Parents Are Saying
Speaking on behalf of the group, Prof. Atiba Adeniran Samuel explained that what they are demanding is simple:
- Students who will turn 16 by the end of the 2025/2026 academic session (i.e., by September 30, 2026) should be allowed into universities.
- The age restriction, if necessary, should have been applied at the primary school level, not at the university stage.
- Preventing students who are “a few months younger” than 16 from gaining admission has psychological and emotional consequences for the children.
They argue that a student who has successfully passed WAEC, NECO, and UTME has already demonstrated maturity, focus, and intelligence. So why should their date of birth be the stumbling block?
🎓 The Current Policy on Admission Age in Nigeria
For those who may not know, here’s how the minimum admission age policy works in Nigeria:
- The Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB agreed that candidates must be 16 years old before they can enter a university.
- The policy was officially re-affirmed in July 2025, with the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stating that the rule is non-negotiable.
- The only exceptions are for “gifted children.” But even then, such students must meet very high requirements:
- Score at least 320 out of 400 in UTME
- Score at least 80% in Post-UTME and SSCE
- Pass an interview with subject-specific requirements
- Face a 24-member JAMB screening committee
In short, while the door is not completely shut to under-16s, the conditions are so tough that only a few can realistically scale through.
⚖️ The Legal Battle Around the Policy
Interestingly, this is not just a policy issue but also a legal one.
- A Federal High Court in Delta State earlier declared the policy unconstitutional, saying it discriminates against candidates based on their age.
- The court ruled that students who meet academic requirements should not be denied admission because of their birthdate.
- However, JAMB has appealed the judgment, and the policy remains in place until the higher courts decide otherwise.
This means that even though the parents may have a point, the official law of the land (for now) still requires students to be 16 years old before stepping into the university.
🤔 Why Does JAMB Insist on 16 Years?
Some students have asked, “Why 16? Why not 15 or 14 if someone is academically brilliant?”
Here are some of the reasons JAMB and the government give:
- Maturity: University life is demanding, both emotionally and socially. Authorities believe younger teenagers may struggle with independence, peer pressure, and exposure.
- Consistency: Many universities worldwide also have age thresholds to ensure students are “mature” enough for higher education.
- Policy Control: Without an age limit, some parents might push their children too fast through school, possibly affecting their holistic development.
But critics argue that not every student is the same. Some are far ahead of their peers academically and socially, and should not be punished for being advanced learners.
🧑🎓 What This Means for Students
This debate is very important for today’s students. Imagine this scenario:
- You worked hard, passed your WAEC in SS2.
- You smashed JAMB with a score of 300+.
- You even passed your Post-UTME.
- But then you’re told you can’t be admitted because you are 15 years and 10 months old.
That means you’ll have to wait a full year at home, losing momentum, while your friends move on. This is the frustration the Ekiti parents are speaking against.
🔍 What Could Happen Next?
The situation could play out in several ways:
- If JAMB holds its ground: The 16-year policy stays, and under-16 students will have to either wait or fight through the “gifted child” process.
- If parents’ pressure works: The government may relax the rule, allowing students who turn 16 during the session to gain admission.
- If the courts rule finally against JAMB: The policy may be scrapped entirely, giving all qualified students free entry, regardless of age.
