The Federal Ministry of Education has strongly refuted a report by The Punch Newspaper alleging that the Federal Government has introduced a new minimum age of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1).
According to a statement from the Ministry, “The report is entirely inaccurate, did not emanate from any official source, and does not reflect government policy.”
The Ministry clarified that the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years. “No child should complete primary education below the age of 10,” the statement emphasized, adding that any claim suggesting otherwise is misleading and should be ignored by parents, schools, and stakeholders.
In a related clarification, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, affirmed the consistent national policy that students must be at least 16 years old before gaining admission into any Nigerian university.
“The prescribed minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities is 16 years. This policy is consistent, non-negotiable, and applies uniformly, regardless of how early a student may have completed secondary education,” the Minister stated.
He noted that the policy supports students’ cognitive and emotional readiness for higher learning.
The Ministry advised educational institutions, media houses, and the general public to confirm any educational claims through official channels before publication or action.
It assured citizens that it remains committed to transparent and appropriate educational policies, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
The Ministry stressed that it will continue to work towards ensuring that children and young adults enter each academic phase when they are fully prepared, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
