The Federal Authorities of Nigeria has formally set the minimal age requirement for college admission at 16 years previous.
Total, the 2025 educational yr will see the fast implementation of this coverage.
As well as, the choice goals to align educational necessities with youngsters’s cognitive improvement.
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT’S NEW AGE DIRECTIVE
Schooling Minister Dr Tunji Alausa introduced this in Abuja on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) 2025 coverage assembly.
Dr Alausa said that every one instructional establishments can’t compromise on the minimal age of sixteen.
Moreover, he emphasised that the methodology balances educational preparedness with cognitive maturity.
AGE ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS
Any makes an attempt to alter age knowledge must be prevented, in response to the minister. Institutions discovered to be falsifying age knowledge will face extreme sanctions.
It’s in opposition to the legislation to make admissions outdoors of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Be that as it could, this strict enforcement goals to uphold the integrity of the admissions process.
PREVIOUS POLICY AND REVERSAL
Nigeria set a minimal age of 18 for early 2024, and former Schooling Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman confronted robust opposition to his earlier technique.
Consequently, lecturers and oldsters expressed concern that it will unfairly exclude a number of deserving college students.
Dr Tunji Alausa eliminated the 18-year restriction following a authorities upheaval in October 2024.
IMPACT ON EDUCATION
To create a extra inclusive system, the minimal age is now 16. Therefore, it helps youngsters who’re exceptionally clever for his or her age.
The coverage reinforces the federal government’s dedication to high-quality schooling.
Furthermore, this variation gives readability for potential school candidates nationwide.
HOW WILL THIS POLICY IMPACT NIGERIAN HIGHER EDUCATION LONG-TERM?
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