Court Declares JAMB 16-Year Admission Age Limit Unconstitutional

The Delta State High Court 2 in Warri has ruled that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's (JAMB) policy setting 16 years as the minimum age for university admission is unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on February 27, 2025, Hon. Justice Anthony O. Akpovi upheld the claims brought by John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch . Aikpokpo-Martins had filed a public interest lawsuit challenging JAMB's age restriction, arguing that it violates sections 18(1) and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

The court declared that the 16-year minimum age for university admission discriminates against younger candidates and violates their constitutional right to equal educational opportunity . The judgment is a significant victory for candidates who were previously barred from admission due to their age.

JAMB had introduced the age restriction in October 2024, stating that only applicants who turned 16 by August 2025 would be eligible for admission to post-secondary institutions ². However, the court's ruling has effectively nullified this policy.

The implications of this judgment are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how JAMB will respond to the court's decision.