FG to enforce ban on underage JAMB admission in 2025…okays 18 years for 2024 candidates

The Federal Government (FG) has pegged 18 years (of age) for candidates seeking admissions to tertiary institutions with effect from the 2025 admissions. With the development, candidates who are below 18 years seeking admissions in 2024 qualify for admission.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday, reversed the ban on underage admissions, following protests by stakeholders at the ongoing 2024 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examination (JAMB).

He had earlier announced the ban when stakeholders protested the new minimum admission age pegged at 18 years.

Immediately, the minister made the announcement, the stakeholders from across tertiary institutions in the country, chorused resistance which turned the session into a brouhaha.

Unable to proceed with his address as a result of the uproar, the minister asked, “are we together?”

The stakeholders responded with a resounding “No!”

Unruffled, he continued with his address, explaining reasons for pegging the new admission benchmark at 18.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, intervened and restored order to the meeting.

After some consultations, Oloyede said: “At the time they (candidates) were taking the examinations (JAMB), they were not aware. So if we want to enforce it, then it should be for subsequent years.”

Mamman agreed that the ban would be set aside for 2024 admissions.

“Information has revealed that the enrolment of underage candidates is inflicting serious damage on the university and the education system, hence, the need for enforcement of extant rules,” he said.

“When I was monitoring the just- concluded 2024 UTME, I was alarmed at the participation of a large number of obviously under-age candidates in the examination,” he added.

“This necessitated my comment on the need to enforce the extant provisions of the educational policies which made provision for nine years of basic education and three years of Senior Secondary Education before entry into tertiary institution.

“It is clear that a child who, as expected is enrolled in basic school at the age of six and having undergone 12 years of education would be around 18 years old when being enrolled in a tertiary institution.

“Flowing from this, JAMB is hereby instructed to admit only eligible students’ i.e those who have attained 18 years.

“Universities are advised to avoid recommending unqualified children for admission,” he added