No Candidates Below 18 Years Will Be Allowed to Write JAMB from 2025 – Minister of Education

The Minister of Education had announced that starting in 2025, candidates under 18 will no longer be allowed to take the JAMB examination, according to Nigeria’s education policy.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that starting in 2025, candidates under 18 years old will not be permitted to take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, in accordance with Nigeria’s education policy.

During an interview on Channels TV, Mamman emphasized that the minimum age requirement of 18 years for university admission is not a new policy but a longstanding rule. He stated that while underage students will still be allowed to take the exam this year, from next year onwards, the age requirement will be strictly enforced.

He clarified that this is not just about age but also about the number of years a student has spent in school. According to the policy, a child must spend a minimum of 17 and a half years from daycare through primary and secondary school before being eligible to write NECO, WAEC, and JAMB exams.

Mamman also mentioned that while there might be considerations for exceptionally bright students in the future, the current policy is intended to ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education. He noted that other countries have similar age requirements but also provide opportunities for gifted students, though in Nigeria, such exceptions could lead to misuse.

The Minister’s announcement follows a recent decision by the federal government to temporarily allow underage students to write the JAMB exam in 2024, after public outcry, but to fully enforce the age restriction from 2025.

READ ALSO: FG Restricts Under-18s from Taking NECO and WAEC Exams

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, NAIRAMETRICS