During the 2024 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, issued a directive to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and all Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The directive stated that only candidates who are 18 years old or above should be admitted.
The policy meeting serves as a platform for key stakeholders involved in the admission processes of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The minister stated, “JAMB is hereby instructed from admission this year to admit only eligible students. That is those who have attained 18 years by our laws.”
Although there was opposition from the audience, the minister remained steadfast in his directive, asserting that his stance was supported by legal provisions.
He further noted, “Our laws require students to be in school from six years —Yes, there are those who do that from five—, and remain in primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years… It does not require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law.”
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