Candidates below 18 years will not be permitted to write JAMB from 2025 – Minister of Education

Prof. Tahir Mamman has made an autonomous declaration that beginning in 2025, candidates under 18 will no longer be permitted to take the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination beginning next year.

This information was delivered to the general public by the Minister of Education during an interview with Channels TV on Sunday in Abuja.

Prof. Tahir noted that the minimum age required for admission is 18 years according to the country’s education policy.

In his words, Prof said;

“Nothing has changed. It is still 18 years. What we did at the JAMB meeting was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that, this year JAMB will admit students below 18 years.  

“But from next year, JAMB will insist anybody going to apply to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.  

“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy. This is a policy that has been there for a long time. And basically, if you compute the number of years learners are supposed to be in school, the number you end up with is 17 and a half. From daycare to primary school, then secondary school, you will end up with 17 and half. And by the time, the school Is ready for admission, you have the age,”  

From the above-made statement, it's a clear indication that this year was given as a period of grace by the federal government allowing students to take the JAMB examination this year. However, this also serves as a form of advance notice to parents for the changes that will take effect next year.

______

DEAR 2025 JAMBITES, Step up your UTME preparation with ExamGuide JAMB UTME app, a trusted tool for JAMB exam success. Join thousands of successful students and turn your UTME dreams score into reality – download ExamGuide UTME Learning App now and start your journey to academic excellence

_____

Also, responding to a question about exceptionally bright students, the Minister stated that it is possible to create opportunities for such students who demonstrate exceptional intelligence.

He noted that similar practices are being observed in other countries around the world.

However, he emphasized that in Nigeria, the challenge lies in the potential for these opportunities to be exploited by the majority of students seeking admission to higher institutions.

“At the moment, this is what we have. But it’s very legitimate to appeal and look at that window of how do we care for our smart children. And this is a conversation for another day. Other countries do similar things.  

“They have age specifications for each level of education. But again, they look at the possibilities of smart children. A lot of times in Nigeria, what sometimes is a widow eventually becomes a door,” Mamman noted.