The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a significant adjustment to the age criteria for admissions into universities and other higher education institutions in Nigeria. Students who will turn 16 by August 31, 2025, are now eligible to enroll for the 2024/2025 academic session, provided they meet the respective institution’s other admission requirements.
This update follows deliberations at the 2024 JAMB Policy Meeting, where it was established that the minimum JAMB age limit 2025 for admission in tertiary institutions would be 16 years old. Initially, the deadline for eligibility was set as December 31, 2024. However, the board’s recent decision extends the eligibility cutoff to August 31, 2025, accommodating institutions with longer admission timelines.
Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, emphasized the importance of fairness in this adjustment. “This effort is to ensure equity because those whose 2024 admission would last till August 2025 would not be unduly favored. Any institution that insists on its 16 years being within the year 2024 is completely free to do so,” he stated.
The development has drawn mixed reactions from parents and stakeholders, with some lauding the decision for its flexibility while others remain skeptical about its broader implications. Regardless, this change ensures that students born later in the year are not excluded from pursuing their academic aspirations in institutions with extended admission processes.
This move highlights JAMB’s effort to align its policies with the diverse admission timelines of institutions while upholding the minimum age requirement for higher education enrollment.
F&Q
Can a 16 year old enter university in 2025?
Yes, a 16-year-old can enter a university in Nigeria in 2025, provided they meet the necessary admission requirements. According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions is 16 years old.