Federal Government Denies Raising JSS1 Admission Age to 12, Says Policy Remains at 10 Years

Amid widespread online rumors suggesting a change in school admission requirements, the Federal Government has officially debunked claims that it has raised the minimum age for entry into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) from 10 to 12 years.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Federal Ministry of Education firmly clarified that the current age requirement for JSS1 remains 10 years, and no such change has been introduced or even considered.

The Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, made the clarification public on Friday, urging parents, schools, and stakeholders to rely solely on verified government communications. Her response followed viral reports—particularly one published by The Punch Newspaper—which inaccurately claimed that children would now need to be at least 12 years old before progressing to JSS1.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked a misleading report… claiming that the minimum age for admission into JSS1 has been raised to 12 years,” Boriowo stated, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Ministry reiterated that students are expected to complete primary school by the age of 10, which is also the earliest legal age for entering JSS1. The policy, according to Boriowo, is designed to ensure that learners are academically and developmentally ready for the increased workload and social transition that comes with secondary school.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years. Accordingly, no child should complete primary education below the age of 10,” the statement emphasized.

This clarification comes at a time when many parents and education providers are concerned about rapidly changing policies in the country’s educational sector. In recent years, there has been confusion surrounding age requirements for both secondary and tertiary education, with some institutions implementing their own age restrictions without official backing.

Also addressed in the Ministry’s statement was the minimum age for gaining admission into Nigerian universities. According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the benchmark remains 16 years, even for students who complete secondary education early.

Dr. Alausa explained that the age restriction is intended to ensure that students entering higher institutions are not only academically qualified but also mentally and emotionally prepared for the demands of tertiary education.

“The policy ensures that students are cognitively and emotionally ready for the more rigorous academic environment found in universities,” he noted.

While talented or exceptionally gifted students may be allowed early entry, their cases must be well-documented and processed with full transparency.

This clarification may come as a relief to many parents who recall the controversy surrounding the age requirement for university admission in early 2024. At that time, the Federal Ministry of Education, then led by Prof. Tahir Mamman, introduced a new policy that set the minimum university admission age at 18 years and prohibited students under 18 from sitting for national exams such as WAEC and NECO.

The policy sparked widespread backlash, particularly from parents of high-achieving students under the age of 18 who were ready for university. Many criticized the government for imposing what they saw as unnecessary limits on academic progress and personal ambition.

Under pressure from educators, parents, students, and lawmakers, the Ministry was eventually forced to revise its stance. The backlash prompted an internal policy review, and by late 2024, the age limit had been rolled back.

Following a cabinet reshuffle in October 2024, Dr. Tunji Alausa took over the role of Minister of Education and quickly reversed the earlier decision, restoring the minimum university entry age to 16. He also issued warnings to tertiary institutions across the country, cautioning them against manipulating students’ age records or admitting underage candidates through unofficial channels.

“Universities must not falsify or overlook age requirements. Any violations will result in sanctions,” the Ministry warned in an earlier memo.

Mrs. Boriowo used the opportunity to caution parents, schools, and the general public against spreading unverified reports or relying on unofficial sources for education policies. She stressed the importance of waiting for formal communication from the Ministry of Education or other relevant government agencies.

“We urge all stakeholders—parents, school administrators, media platforms, and students—to always verify information before acting on it. Unconfirmed news can cause panic and misinformation,” she said.

Education remains one of the most important pillars of national development, and clarity in policy is essential for smooth operations across the entire academic ecosystem—from primary schools to universities.

With Nigeria’s education system undergoing frequent updates, especially as the country pushes for greater global competitiveness, it’s more important than ever for families and schools to stay informed, ask questions, and demand transparency from institutions and media outlets alike.

The latest clarification on the minimum age for JSS1 and university admission is a welcome reassurance that the government is listening to concerns and committed to balanced, inclusive education policies that prioritize student well-being alongside academic excellence.

Key Takeaways:

• The minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years, as confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education.
• The report claiming an increase to 12 years is false and has been officially debunked.
• The minimum university admission age remains 16 years, with exceptions for gifted students.
• Parents and schools are advised to trust only official government sources for education policy updates.
• Past efforts to raise university admission age to 18 in 2024 were reversed following public opposition