The Delta State High Court ruled that JAMB's 16-year minimum age for university admission is unconstitutional, allowing candidates of any age who meet the cut-off mark to apply. This decision challenges the legality of age-based educational restrictions under Nigeria’s Constitution.
The Delta State High Court in Warri has ruled that the 16-year minimum admission age set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is unconstitutional. In a judgment delivered on February 27, 2025, Justice Anthony O. Akpovi ruled in favor of the claimant, John Aikpokpo-Martins, who had challenged the age restriction. Aikpokpo-Martins argued that the age limit violated the Nigerian Constitution, specifically sections 18(1) and 42, which guarantee equal access to education and freedom from discrimination.
JAMB had enforced the policy through a circular in October 2024, restricting university admission to candidates aged 16 and above. However, Aikpokpo-Martins contended that this policy unfairly excluded some qualified candidates based on their age, denying them equal educational opportunities.
While JAMB's legal counsel, A. O. Mohammed, SAN, argued that the case was non-justiciable because the relevant constitutional provisions were part of the non-justiciable Chapter 2, the court sided with Aikpokpo-Martins. As a result, any candidate who meets the university's admission requirements, regardless of age, can now purchase JAMB forms and seek admission. This ruling has sparked debate about the balance between academic readiness and the maturity of younger candidates, as it now opens the doors for potentially younger students to attend university.
