RismadarVoice Reporters, May 11, 2026
The Federal Government has reaffirmed 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.
According to the minister, the decision followed a series of consultations and policy evaluations involving relevant stakeholders in the education sector.
Alausa explained that the age benchmark was retained to ensure a balance between academic preparedness and equal access to tertiary education opportunities.
“After broad consultations and careful policy reviews, the government has decided to maintain 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions. The decision is intended to strike a balance between inclusiveness and academic readiness,” he stated.
The minister noted that although there are exceptionally gifted students who may be academically advanced at younger ages, such cases would only be considered under clearly defined regulations.
He stressed that strict guidelines would be enforced to protect the credibility and integrity of the nation’s admission process.
Alausa further explained that the policy framework is designed to ensure that students admitted into tertiary institutions possess the maturity and preparedness required for higher education.
During the meeting, the minister also announced policy adjustments affecting certain academic disciplines, particularly Education and Agriculture-related programmes.
The new framework, he said, would allow more flexible admission considerations for candidates seeking placement into those fields.
Earlier, JAMB disclosed that candidates applying for Education programmes and Agriculture-related non-engineering courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics would no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The examination body announced a statement shared on its official X platform during the ongoing policy meeting.
According to JAMB, the exemption forms part of efforts aimed at encouraging enrolment into critical sectors linked to national development and manpower needs.
