FG Sets University Admission Age at 16, Mandates CAPS Compliance
Enet
The Federal Government has officially set the university admission age at 16 after previously advising against admitting candidates under 18.
The federal government announced this change, making 16 the minimum age for entry into higher education institutions. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the statement on Tuesday, July 8, during the opening of the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
He emphasized that this new age limit is non-negotiable. Alausa warned that any admission outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) would be illegal, and those involved would face legal action.
He also stated that institutions caught engaging in admission fraud would be prosecuted. Previously, the former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, directed JAMB and tertiary schools to stop admitting students under 18.
However, by July 2024, Mamman changed his stance, calling for the adoption of 16 as the minimum age during the 2024 admission policy review meeting in Abuja on July 18, 2024.
This reversal came after feedback from stakeholders like rectors, registrars, vice chancellors, and other senior officials. Today, July 8, 2025, the current Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, officially set the admission age at 16.
