The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has issued a directive to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Nigerian tertiary institutions to admit only candidates who are 18 years of age and above.
This announcement was made during the 2024 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja on Thursday. The policy meeting serves as a forum for key stakeholders in the admission process, including university vice-chancellors, polytechnic rectors, and college provosts, among others.
Prompting a noticeable reaction from the audience, 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.”
When faced with audible disapproval from attendees, Minister Mamman stood firm on his position, citing existing Nigerian legislation regarding admissions to tertiary institutions. He emphasized that this directive is not a new policy but rather a reinforcement of existing laws.
“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 doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law,” he noted.
