Scrap JAMB Age Limit to Save Bright Kids, Ekiti Parents Urge FG

Parents, Students, and Stakeholders in Ekiti State Appeal for Waiver on 16-Year Age Restriction for 2025 Admissions

Concerned parents in Ekiti State, under the banner of the Coalition of Concerned Parents, Students, and Stakeholders, have appealed to the Federal Government to abolish the age restriction policy imposed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for tertiary institution admissions.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and signed by Adeniran Samuel and Omotayo Omokayode, the parents pleaded for urgent intervention. They urged the minister to “direct JAMB to remove the portal restrictions preventing qualified candidates below 16 years from processing admissions,” stressing that the policy threatens the future of brilliant but younger students.

JAMB recently implemented its policy requiring that only candidates who turn 16 years old by August 2025 can be admitted into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions. The development has sparked backlash nationwide, with parents, guardians, and advocacy groups kicking against the rule.

Earlier this year, the Movement Against JAMB Injustice staged protests at JAMB’s Lagos office and the Ministry of Education, describing the policy as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Parents Cite Constitutional Violation: The Ekiti parents described the age policy as a breach of Section 18(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees Nigerians freedom from discrimination based on circumstances of birth, sex, religion, or status.

According to them: “The JAMB policy amounts to discrimination based on circumstance of birth—excluding brilliant students for being born a few months later, while admitting less qualified older peers. No matter JAMB’s justification, it remains unconstitutional if it denies equal opportunity.”

They further cited a Delta State High Court judgment, which had previously nullified a similar directive by JAMB on underage admissions, reinforcing their position that the current implementation is unlawful.

Merit, Not Age, Should Determine Admission: The group emphasized that admission should be based on merit, not age. With only 7% of candidates scoring above 250 in the 2025 UTME, they argued it is unfair to deny high-performing students admission solely because they are underage, while others with much lower scores gain access.

They warned that the policy punishes excellence: “These children are not asking for undue advantage; they are asking not to be punished for excelling early. Denying them admission dims their hope, weakens morale, and unfairly penalises their brilliance.”

Call for Phased Implementation: The parents proposed a phased approach, suggesting that if an age policy must exist, it should begin from entry into primary or junior secondary school, not at the crucial exit stage of secondary education where futures are at stake.

Appealing to the minister’s sense of justice, they said: “Sir, your lifelong commitment to fairness, justice, and education has transformed lives in Nigeria. We believe your fatherly and principled voice at this moment can restore balance and protect the future of Nigeria’s brightest minds.”

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