No admission for under-16 candidates, FG insists

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that candidates below the age of 16 will not be admitted into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, maintaining the existing age requirement for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the declaration on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to the minister, the decision followed wide-ranging consultations and policy evaluations involving major stakeholders in the education sector.

Alausa stressed that there would be no automatic admission for under-16 candidates, as the policy is intended to ensure students are academically and emotionally prepared for tertiary education.

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“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” Alausa stated.

He added that the policy seeks to balance inclusiveness with the need to uphold academic standards within the nation’s tertiary education system.

“This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness,” he added.

The minister, however, acknowledged that some exceptionally gifted students may meet admission requirements before turning 16, noting that such cases would only be considered under carefully regulated conditions.

He added, “While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines to preserve the integrity of the system as a whole.”

According to him, strict guidelines would be enforced to ensure that early admissions do not undermine the credibility and integrity of the admission process.

Alausa also announced adjustments affecting Education and Agriculture-related programmes, revealing that candidates in those disciplines may enjoy more flexible admission considerations under the revised framework.

The policy meeting also featured discussions on admission procedures, institutional quotas and cut-off marks for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.