JAMB Revises 16-Year Admission Age Limit, Extends Deadline

JAMB responds to public pressure by adjusting the 16-year age requirement for university admissions until August 2025

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made a significant adjustment in response to public demand, as JAMB extends the 16-year admission age limit for candidates applying to tertiary institutions. This revision allows students who will turn 16 by August 31, 2025, to be considered for admission in the 2024/2025 academic session, ensuring broader eligibility.

This move follows earlier deliberations during the 2024 Policy Meeting, where it was initially decided that the minimum age for admission would be 16 years old for the 2024/25 academic session. The original cut-off date for this requirement was set for December 31, 2024, which drew mixed reactions from parents and the public.

In response to the feedback, JAMB clarified that due to some institutions extending their admission processes until July 2025, it is necessary to extend the 16-year admission age limit to cover those turning 16 by August 31, 2025. According to JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, Fabian Benjamin, this adjustment ensures fairness, as it prevents any institution from unduly benefiting from the earlier deadline.

The JAMB extension of the 16-year admission age limit grants universities flexibility in the admission process. However, institutions that prefer to maintain the December 31, 2024, age requirement are free to do so, allowing them to uphold their individual admission standards.