The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.
According to the minister, the Federal Government arrived at the decision after extensive consultations and policy reviews involving major stakeholders in the education sector.
Alausa explained that the age benchmark is intended to maintain a balance between academic preparedness and equal access to higher education opportunities.
He stated that the government remains mindful of exceptionally brilliant students who may satisfy academic requirements before the age of 16, but stressed that such admissions would only be considered under carefully regulated conditions.
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The minister noted that strict guidelines would be applied to ensure that early admissions do not undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system or affect students’ emotional and academic readiness.
He further disclosed that the government is introducing fresh policy adjustments for some specialised disciplines, particularly Education and Agriculture-related programmes, where candidates may enjoy more flexible admission considerations.
The policy meeting also featured broader discussions on admission procedures for the 2026 academic session, including institutional quotas, admission regulations, and cut-off marks for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.