The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions remains 16 years, insisting that the policy is firmly rooted in existing legal provisions.
The Board explained that the age requirement is not an arbitrary rule but a legal standard aimed at preserving the quality and integrity of higher education admissions across the country. According to JAMB, candidates admitted into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education should possess the academic, emotional and psychological maturity needed to cope with the demands of tertiary education.
While maintaining the 16-year minimum age, JAMB noted that exceptionally gifted candidates below the age threshold may still be considered under a strictly regulated exception. Such candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic ability by meeting stringent requirements, including exceptional performances in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), Post-UTME and JAMB’s special assessment for gifted candidates.
The examination body also said the policy is intended to curb age falsification, discourage undue pressure on underage children to seek tertiary admission, and promote fairness and credibility in the admission process.
JAMB’s clarification follows the Federal Government’s decision at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to retain 16 years as the minimum admission age for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, bringing an end to debates over the appropriate entry age for higher education.
