The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that Nigerian tertiary institutions can now admit students turning 16 years old by August 31, 2025, for the 2024/2025 academic session. This adjustment allows institutions to enroll qualified candidates who meet all other admission requirements, even if they are not 16 at the time of application.

In a circular released on Thursday, JAMB explained that the decision aims to ensure fairness, particularly since some institutions might complete their admission processes as late as July 2025. The previous age cut-off was December 31, 2024, but it has now been extended to accommodate students who will meet the age requirement by August of the following year.

JAMB emphasized that this change does not lower standards or interfere with any institution’s admission policies. Institutions are free to set their own age cut-offs, provided they do not go below the minimum of 16 years. The Board has requested institutions to submit lists of candidates turning 16 between January 1 and August 31, 2025, within one week to facilitate the admissions process.

This move ensures that students who would otherwise have been excluded due to their age will now have an equal opportunity for admission, without giving an undue advantage to any group of candidates.