Education Minister Announces Under 18 Ban For University Entry

Education Minister Announces Under 18 Ban For University Entry

Education Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, has announced that individuals below eighteen years old will no longer be eligible for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The declaration was made during the 2024 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting in Abuja on Thursday…….. CONTINUE READING 

Minister Mamman emphasized that this decision aligns with existing Nigerian legislation, which prohibits the admission of underage students into tertiary education. He stressed the necessity for strict adherence to this guideline, prohibiting the recommendation of candidates under the age of 18 for admission.

The directive applies across all tertiary institutions, including universities and polytechnics. Mamman, drawing from his experience as a Vice Chancellor, highlighted the challenges faced by underage students when prematurely entering universities, underscoring the importance of enforcing this age requirement.

“I have witnessed firsthand how underage students struggle in various aspects when admitted prematurely into universities,” Mamman stated. “JAMB is hereby notified of the ban on underage admissions, effective immediately for the 2024 admissions.”

Despite expressions of discontent from stakeholders at the policy meeting, Minister Mamman reaffirmed that the decision reflects federal government policy aimed at addressing significant challenges within tertiary institutions.

Earlier concerns raised by Mamman in April regarding the rising numbers of underage university entrants had led to the proposal to set the minimum admission age at 18 years. This initiative was announced during his oversight of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abuja.