The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has authorized the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Nigerian tertiary institutions to admit candidates starting from the age of 16.

This decision came after objections and requests from heads of tertiary institutions at the policy meeting on the 2024 admissions organized by JAMB in Abuja on Thursday.

The policy meeting is a crucial forum for stakeholders in the admission process into tertiary institutions, including university vice-chancellors, polytechnic rectors, college provosts, the JAMB registrar, and other officials from the examination body.

Earlier, the minister had directed institutions not to admit candidates under 18, causing discontent among the audience of tertiary institution heads, registrars, and admission officers.

The minister emphasized that the policy was based on existing laws and did not require his comment, as it was part of Nigeria’s educational policy.

“JAMB is instructed to admit only eligible students from this year, meaning those who have attained 18 years according to our laws,” he stated.

He explained that the law requires students to start school at six years old—sometimes five—and continue through primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years. "This does not require a ministerial statement; we are simply reiterating what is already in the law," he added.

However, during the policy meeting, heated discussions arose over the minister's directive on underage admissions. The representative from Elizade University proposed allowing admissions from the age of 16, noting that many candidates categorized as underage had already taken the UTME without anticipating the directive.

JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, pointed out that the policy was not new.

Ultimately, the minister agreed to admit candidates from the age of 16, and the meeting approved it.

“For practical reasons, we will go with that,” Mr. Mamman concluded, drawing applause and cheers from the audience.