The Federal Ministry of Education has issued a rejoinder refuting a misleading report by The Punch Newspaper claiming that the government has set a new minimum age requirement of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1).
The Ministry described the report as false, clarifying that the official minimum age for JSS1 admission remains 10 years.
In a press release signed by Mrs. Borrowo Folasade, Director of Press & Public Relations, the Ministry emphasized that no child should complete primary education below the age of 10.
The statement urged the public, educational institutions, and media organizations to disregard the inaccurate publication and always verify information through official channels.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Manuf Tunj Alouso, reaffirmed that the minimum age for university admission in Nigeria is firmly set at 16 years. This policy, he noted, is non-negotiable and ensures students are cognitively and emotionally prepared for higher education, regardless of how early they complete secondary school.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and age-appropriate policies in line with the Renewed Hope agenda, calling for adherence to official guidelines to avoid misinformation.
