The Delta State High Court has issued a restraining order against the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) regarding its recently announced policy mandating a minimum admissible age of 16 years for university admissions. This order was granted pending a hearing on a motion filed against the board.
On October 16, JAMB announced that only candidates who turn 16 by August 2025 would be eligible for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This policy aligns with a new directive from the Ministry of Education, which establishes 18 years as the minimum age for admission. However, JAMB has made an exception for candidates applying for the 2024/2025 academic session.
John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Warri, filed the suit, representing candidates born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who passed the 2024 JAMB exams.
In the suit, marked W/311/FHR/2021, Aikpokpo-Martins named JAMB and Edwin Clark University as the first and second respondents, respectively.
Justice Anthony Akpovi delivered the ruling on Thursday, granting all the reliefs sought by the applicant. The court ordered that the implementation of JAMB’s directive from October 16 be put on hold.
Aikpokpo-Martins sought to prevent any actions that might jeopardize the admission of his daughter, Angel Aikpokpo Martins, and others in similar situations.
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In his ruling, Justice Akpovi stated, “Reliefs 1 and 2 are hereby granted to preserve and protect the rights of every Nigerian child born between September 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, who wrote and passed JAMB exams in 2024 to remain duly admitted.” He noted that the JAMB circular to university authorities is effectively suspended while the court reviews the case.
Additionally, the court granted an order for substituted service by courier and approved an expedited hearing for the matter.
This development has sparked widespread discussions about the implications of age requirements on students’ educational paths. As the legal proceedings unfold, many students and parents are anxiously awaiting the final decision, which could shape the future of university admissions in Nigeria.
