JAMB succumbs to pressure, & extends 16-year admission age limit up to 2025

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced on Thursday that universities and other tertiary institutions in the country can now admit candidates who will turn 16 years old by August 31, 2025.

The board added that the affected candidates can be admitted for the 2024/2025 academic session if they meet the institution’s standards.

The minimum age for admission in tertiary institutions was earlier this year deliberated at the 2024 Policy Meeting and decided to be 16 years old for the 2024/25 academic session.

The cut-off date was subsequently put on December 31, 2024.

The development triggered reactions from parents and other concerned citizens, who expressed divergent views on the matter.

However, JAMB, through a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Fabian Benjamin, said because some institutions extended admission periods until July 2025, it will allow institutions to admit candidates who will turn 16 by August 31, 2025.

“This effort is to ensure equity because those whose 2024 admission would last till August 2025 would not be unduly favoured. Any institution that insists on its 16 years being within the year 2024 is completely free to do so,” the statement added.