The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has announced a new policy barring candidates under the age of 18 from taking the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination starting in 2025. This announcement was made during an interview on popular TV station on Sunday, August 24th in Abuja.
Prof. Mamman emphasized that this policy aligns with the existing educational framework in Nigeria, where students are expected to have completed a minimum of 17 and a half years of schooling—from daycare through secondary school—before becoming eligible for university admission.
“By the time a student is ready for university admission, they should have reached the age of 18,” Mamman stated. He clarified that while students under 18 will still be permitted to sit for the JAMB examination this year, the policy will be strictly enforced from next year onward.
The Minister further explained that students who have not completed the required years of education will also be excluded from participating in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams, which are prerequisites for university admission in Nigeria.
Mamman reiterated that the decision is not about the chronological age of students but ensuring they have completed the necessary educational stages before advancing to higher education.
This change is intended to give parents sufficient notice and ensure that the educational process is followed according to the set standards.
