JUST IN: Stakeholders protest as Education Minister pegs 2024 admission age at 18

Stakeholders in attendance at the 2024 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting were shocked when the Minister of Education, Prof Mamman Tahir, declared that candidates seeking admission into higher institutions must be 18 years old or above.

Despite objections from the crowd, Tahir stood by the government’s decision, stating that it was based on the belief that candidates are more mature at that age.

He encouraged anyone who disagreed to seek amendment through the National Assembly.

The JAMB policy meeting is a yearly gathering where stakeholders from various tertiary institutions come together to determine appropriate cut-off marks for admissions.

Mamman had previously criticized the situation where students enter higher education but fall victim to negative influences.