The Federal Government has officially declared 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, warning that any admissions conducted outside the approved Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) will be considered illegal.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday while declaring open the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the 16-year age benchmark is a firm and non-negotiable policy of the federal government.

He also issued a stern warning to heads of institutions, stressing that anyone found culpable in admission malpractice or bypassing CAPS would face prosecution.

“The government’s position is clear 16 years remains the minimum age for admission, and any deviation from CAPS will be treated as criminal,” the minister stated.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in the nation’s admission process.

Details to later…