Prof. Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, lifted his prohibition on underage enrollment on Thursday in response to stakeholder protests during the Joint Enrollment and Matriculation Examination’s continuing policy conference for 2024.
The new, 18-year-old minimum entry age was met with opposition from stakeholders.
As soon as Prof. Mamman delivered the news, the participants—who represented higher institutions throughout the nation—voiced their opposition, turning the session into a boisterous one.
Are we together? the minister had asked, unable to continue with his speech due to the commotion.
However, the stakeholders had responded with a resounding “No!”
The minister attempted to provide justifications for setting the new admittance standard at 18 while continuing his speech, appearing unfazed by the event.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had to step in to bring the order back to the policy meeting.
But Oloyede stated, “At the time they (candidates) were taking the examinations, they were not aware,” following discussions with other interested parties. Therefore, if we decide to enforce it, it ought to be for upcoming years.
The minister did point out that the prohibition would not apply to admissions in 2024.
“Information has revealed that the enrolment of underage candidates is inflicting serious damage on the university and the education system, hence, the need for enforcement of extant rules.
“When I was monitoring the just concluded 2024 UTME, I was alarmed at the participation of a large number of obviously under-age candidates in the examination.
“This necessitated my comment on the need to enforce the extant provisions of the educational policies which made provision for nine years of basic education and three years of Senior Secondary Education before entry into tertiary institution.
“It is clear that a child who, as expected is enrolled in basic school at the age of six and having undergone 12 years of education would be around 18 years old when being enrolled in a tertiary institution.
“Flowing from this, JAMB is hereby instructed to admit only eligible students’ i.e those who have attained 18 years.
“Universities are advised to avoid recommending unqualified children for admission,” he added
