Nigeria’s Education Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, has updated the admission requirements for tertiary institutions. The new policy now permits students as young as 16 years old to gain entry into universities and other higher education institutions for the 2024 academic year. This marks a significant change from the minister’s earlier directive, which had restricted admission to candidates aged 18 and above.
Professor Mamman’s original policy mandated that only individuals who were at least 18 years old could be admitted into tertiary institutions. This directive was part of an effort to standardize and regulate admission processes. However, during an ongoing policy meeting organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja, the minister faced substantial opposition from stakeholders.
During the meeting, stakeholders expressed strong objections to the age restriction. They argued that it was unreasonable to deny admission to a student who had already successfully completed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and JAMB exams simply due to their age. Many pointed out that a student who had passed these rigorous tests should not be barred from continuing their education based on age alone.
Professor Mamman changed his position in reaction to this opposition. He said that students 16 years of age and older will be able to apply for admissions as of this year, accepting the suggestions made by the stakeholders. As of the upcoming school year, the age restriction will once again be in effect. The purpose of this decision is to provide accommodations for younger students who have proven to be academically prepared but were in danger of being turned away because of their age.
In related news, the 2024 admission cycle cut-off marks have been set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The Body Benchers Headquarters in Abuja hosted the annual policy meeting when JAMB established the minimum acceptable score as 140 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and institutes of education.
This cut-off mark, known as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS), was determined after the successful administration of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The examination saw 1,989,668 candidates register, with 1,904,189 actually sitting for the test across six days. The remaining 80,810 candidates were absent.
Professor Mamman chaired the policy meeting where these decisions were made. The registrar of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, communicated the cut-off marks to the public. He clarified that while institutions could set their own minimum benchmarks, they could not lower them below the approved cut-off marks established during the meeting.
This new development, including the age adjustment and cut-off marks, reflects the ongoing efforts to refine Nigeria’s education admission policies. It aims to balance academic readiness with age requirements and ensure a fair and equitable admission process for all prospective students.
The reduction in the minimum admission age aligns with broader efforts to support students who have demonstrated academic excellence and readiness for higher education, regardless of their age. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the educational landscape in Nigeria, allowing younger students to advance in their academic careers without unnecessary delays.
