Legal Ruling Prevents JAMB From Limiting Underage Admissions

Legal Ruling Prevents JAMB From Limiting Underage AdmissionsThe Delta State High Court in Warri has issued an order preventing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from enforcing its new policy that sets a minimum admissible age of 16 for university admissions. This order will remain in effect until a hearing on the motion filed against JAMB.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement on October 16, JAMB announced that only candidates who turn 16 by August 2025 would be eligible for admission into tertiary institutions. This policy aligns with a recent directive from the Ministry of Education, which establishes 18 as the minimum age for university admissions. However, JAMB has made exceptions for students applying for the 2024/2025 academic session.

John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Warri, challenged JAMB’s directive in court. He filed a suit, W/311/FHR/2021, on behalf of candidates born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who passed their JAMB exams in 2024, naming JAMB and Edwin Clark University as respondents.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Anthony Akpovi granted the reliefs sought by the applicant, confirming this with a Certified True Copy obtained by Sunday PUNCH. Aikpokpo-Martins requested the court to restrain the respondents from acting on the October 16 directive regarding the age requirement for admissions and to prevent the withdrawal of admission from a specific candidate, Angel Aikpokpo Martins.

Justice Olotu stated, “Reliefs 1 and 2 are hereby granted to preserve the rights of every Nigerian child born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who wrote and passed the JAMB exams in 2024.” He ruled that JAMB’s directive to universities was to be held in abeyance, maintaining the status quo of the admission list prior to this circular until the originating motion is heard. Additionally, the court granted requests for substituted service and an expedited hearing.

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