JAMB defends 16-year admission age, cites maturity, laws

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has defended its policy mandating a minimum age of 16 years for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB's Public Communication Adviser, stated that the policy is grounded in existing education laws and supported by evidence showing a correlation between maturity and academic achievement.

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We didn’t just wake up one night and say it must be 16 years.

During a dialogue organized by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Benjamin explained that the age requirement was not arbitrary. "We didn’t just wake up one night and say it must be 16 years," he said. "If you go back and look at the National Council on Education decisions, the Universal Basic Education Commission Act and the National Policy on Education, you will see clearly defined age expectations for primary, secondary and university education."

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If you go back and look at the National Council on Education decisions, the Universal Basic Education Commission Act and the National Policy on Education, you will see clearly defined age expectations for primary, secondary and university education.

JAMB's stance is informed by years of monitoring admission processes and student performance. Benjamin emphasized that age plays a significant role, not just academically, but in the overall seriousness and pursuit of educational goals. "We have seen over and over again that age continues to play a major role. Beyond academics, education is a serious enterprise. Maturity plays a significant role in who you are, what you want to achieve and how you achieve it," he added.

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We have seen over and over again that age continues to play a major role. Beyond academics, education is a serious enterprise. Maturity plays a significant role in who you are, what you want to achieve and how you achieve it.

However, the policy includes provisions for exceptionally gifted candidates. Benjamin clarified that these candidates must meet a specific performance threshold to be considered for admission below the standard age. "Yes, there are people with peculiar cognitive abilities. That is why there is an exception for gifted candidates. Such candidates must attain a particular threshold of performance before they can be considered for admission below the prescribed age," he explained. This exception ensures that genuinely gifted children are not denied opportunities, citing examples of young professors in other countries who demonstrated exceptional abilities.

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Yes, there are people with peculiar cognitive abilities. That is why there is an exception for gifted candidates. Such candidates must attain a particular threshold of performance before they can be considered for admission below the prescribed age.