The Federal Government has formally set the minimum age for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions at 16 years.
This new policy was announced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the annual Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board held in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa stressed that the newly established age benchmark is “non-negotiable,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to streamlining and sanitizing the nation’s admission process.
“No institution is permitted to admit any candidate below the age of 16. This decision is final and must be strictly adhered to,” the minister stated.
In addition, he warned that all admissions must be processed through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), adding that any institution or official who bypasses this standard procedure risks facing legal consequences.
“Any admission conducted outside the CAPS platform is illegal,” Alausa declared. “Those found guilty—whether admission officers or heads of institutions—will be prosecuted accordingly.”
The announcement resolves long-standing debates about the appropriate age for tertiary education entry in Nigeria. While there had been previous proposals suggesting an 18-year age limit, the government has now officially settled on 16 as the minimum.
