Education Ministry Reacts: No Plan To Raise JSS1 Entry Age To 12

The Federal Government of Nigeria has debunked claims that it has increased the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) from 10 to 12 years.

It also reaffirmed that the age requirement for university and other tertiary institution admission remains 16 years.

This clarification was issued in a statement on Saturday by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu (or Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, based on context). He described the publication by The Punch Newspaper as false and misleading, asserting that no such directive had been made by the Ministry.

According to the Minister, the report did not originate from any credible or official government source and does not reflect current education policy.

“The Federal Ministry of Education is concerned about the misinformation spread by The Punch, alleging a new minimum age of 12 years for JSS1 entry. We categorically state that this claim is inaccurate and does not align with any existing government policy,” the statement read.

“For clarity, the official minimum age for entry into JSS1 remains 10 years. Children are not expected to complete primary education before age 10. Any contrary narrative should be ignored by parents, schools, and the general public.”

Dr. Alausa further emphasized that the benchmark age for gaining university admission is 16 years and remains unchanged. He noted that this standard helps ensure students are emotionally and cognitively prepared for higher education.

The Ministry urged media platforms, schools, and the public to verify information through official channels before publication or circulation, emphasizing its commitment to transparent and age-appropriate educational policies aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.