FG Announces 16 as Minimum Age for University Admission

The Federal Government has fixed 16 years as the minimum age for entry into all tertiary institutions. Announced by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting in Abuja, the directive also makes any admission outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) strictly illegal, with heads of institutions facing prosecution for non-compliance.

Why a Minimum Age of 16?

The policy aims to standardise entry requirements and curb widespread age inaccuracies in student records.

Until now, discrepancies in birth documentation have allowed under- or over-aged candidates to gain admission, undermining academic quality and fairness.

By pegging the threshold at 16, the government seeks to ensure students possess the maturity and foundational knowledge expected at the tertiary level.

Enforcing through CAPS

JAMB introduced the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) to centralise application management and curb malpractice.

With the new rule, any university, polytechnic, or college admitting students outside CAPS will be acting unlawfully, and its leadership could face legal charges.

This measure strengthens JAMB’s oversight role and reinforces a single, transparent admissions gateway.

Immediate Impact on Institutions

• Universities & Polytechnics: Admissions offices must now verify each candidate’s birth documentation against national records before offering places.
  
• Students & Parents: Prospective applicants aged below 16 will be deferred; those who falsify their ages risk losing confirmed offers.
  
• Private Colleges: All private and state-funded institutions are equally bound by the policy, closing previous loopholes where some schools bypassed CAPS entirely.

Expert Perspectives

Education consultant Dr. Aisha Bello welcomes the change but cautions on implementation:

“A uniform age requirement strengthens credibility, but institutions need support, better digital birth-record integration and staff training to enforce it effectively.”

JAMB Registrar Sen. Professor Ishaq Oloyede added that legal action against defaulters will serve as a powerful deterrent, noting, “Without consequences, policies remain words on paper.”

Broader Implications

1. Quality Assurance: Age-appropriate cohorts promote more effective teaching and peer learning.
   
2. Data Integrity: Tighter controls in CAPS will yield cleaner admission data, informing policy and planning.
   
3. Reduced Fraud: Prosecution threats should deter the lucrative business of age falsification in tertiary admissions.

Next Steps for Stakeholders

• JAMB & FRSC: Collaborate to integrate digital birth certificates with CAPS, eliminating paper-based verification.
  
• Universities: Audit incoming student records and establish an internal compliance unit reporting annually to JAMB.
  
• Government: Allocate funds to upgrade IT infrastructure in under-resourced institutions to handle stricter vetting.