By Felix Khanoba
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has granted higher institutions permission to admit candidates who will reach the age of 16 by August 31, 2025.
This development was part of discussions at the 2024 Policy Meeting on admissions, where stakeholders resolved that the minimum age for candidates in the 2024/25 academic session will remain 16 years.
In a press release on Thursday, the Director of Admissions, Muhammed Babaji, clarified that institutions should not withhold admission from candidates who meet the required academic criteria by August 2025 simply because of age.
“The Board acknowledges that some institutions expect the 2024/2025 admission process to extend into July 2025,” Babaji said. “Without compromising standards or infringing on institutions’ policies, the Board has decided to allow willing institutions to admit candidates who will be 16 years old by August 31, 2025.
“This is without prejudice to institutions that have already set 16 years as the minimum age, which remains valid,” he added.
The statement also directed institutions to collect data from the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and submit the names of candidates turning 16 between January 1 and August 31, 2025, within a week of the announcement.
According to Babaji, the directive aims to ensure fairness for candidates as the admission process stretches into the following year.
He further stressed that institutions choosing to maintain their own age policies are free to do so.
This move by JAMB is expected to provide clarity and prevent discrimination against younger candidates during the extended admission process.
