By Wale Afolabi
The Federal Government on Monday announced that 16 years remains the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country, as part of ongoing reforms and policy reviews in the education sector.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.According to the minister, the decision followed extensive consultations and policy evaluations involving key stakeholders in the education sector.
He explained that retaining the age benchmark was aimed at balancing academic preparedness with inclusiveness within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
“This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness,” he said.Alausa noted that while the government recognises the existence of exceptionally gifted students who may meet academic requirements before the approved age, such cases would only be considered under clearly defined and strictly enforced guidelines.
“While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines to preserve the integrity of the system as a whole,” he added.
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The minister said the framework was designed to ensure that early admissions do not compromise the maturity and preparedness expected of students entering tertiary institutions.
He also announced adjustments to admission policies affecting some disciplines, particularly Education and Agriculture-related courses, where candidates may now benefit from more flexible admission considerations under the revised framework.
The policy meeting further reviewed issues relating to admission procedures, institutional quotas, and cut-off marks for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
