The Federal Government has reaffirmed that candidates must be 18 years old before being admitted into tertiary institutions.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman announced this policy during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Mamman also revealed that the Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to prevent underage children from sitting for their examinations.
Starting from next year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will enforce the age requirement for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This year, a transitional allowance will be made for younger applicants, but strict adherence to the 18-year age rule will begin in the next academic cycle.
Mamman clarified that this policy is not new but a reinforcement of existing regulations, noting that students typically complete their education by age 17 and a half.
Additionally, WAEC and NECO will no longer permit underage candidates to take their exams, ensuring that only students who have completed the required number of years at each educational level are eligible.