Don't admit candidates below 18 years into tertiary institution, FG orders JAMB

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) not to admit candidates under 18 years old into tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Mr. Tahir Mamman, spoke in Abuja on Thursday during the 2024 Policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The minister issued the order to vice-chancellors, rectors, and registrars at a meeting, criticized some parents for pressuring their underage children to seek admission into tertiary institutions.

The minister said the 18-year benchmark aligns with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.

Professor Mamman noted that for those unable to gain admission into tertiary institutions, the Ministry of Education is incorporating skills training starting from primary school.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, criticized the enrollment of young teenagers in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), stating that the federal government may review age requirements for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

The Minister stated that 18 years remained the benchmark age for admission into universities and advised parents not to push their underage wards into higher education, especially university education.

The minister has expressed his dissatisfaction with the age of some candidates applying for the examination, noting that they fall below the appropriate age for university admission.