The federal government has set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions nationwide.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting, which took place in Abuja on Tuesday.
Alausa emphasised that the age requirement is mandatory and unequivocal, urging educational institutions to adhere strictly to the guideline in their admission processes.
He stated that admissions carried out outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) will be deemed illegal, and those involved in such practices will face legal repercussions.
The CAPS was designed to streamline admissions and enhance transparency, ensuring that meritorious candidates have fair access to higher education opportunities.
Read also:
- Kaduna to host 2-day education summit July 9-11
- FG receives 90,000 TVET applications in one week – Minister
- FG scraps bilateral scholarships, shifts focus to strengthening Nigerian Universities
Additionally, the minister warned heads of tertiary institutions regarding the consequences of engaging in admission-related fraud.
He reiterated that offenders caught in fraudulent activities would not only face disciplinary action within their institutions but would also be prosecuted.
The minister said the initiative aims to promote integrity and accountability in the admission process, thereby safeguarding the future of education in Nigeria.
Alausa reminded stakeholders in the education sector of their duty to uphold the standards and regulations set forth by the government, reinforcing that the quality and credibility of the nation’s education system depend on their collective commitment to these principles.
