Concerned parents in Ekiti State have appealed to the Federal Government to reverse the age restriction policy for admission into tertiary institutions.
The Coalition of Concerned Parents, Students and Stakeholders made the appeal in a letter to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made public in Ado Ekiti on Sunday. The letter was signed by Adeniran Samuel and Omotayo Omokayode.
The group said the policy, which bars candidates below 16 years from gaining admission, had “deeply affected the future of young Nigerians.” They urged the minister to grant a waiver for all qualified students who passed the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, regardless of age.
“Direct JAMB to remove the portal restrictions preventing these candidates from processing admission,” the letter read.
The parents argued that the policy violates Section 18(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees Nigerians freedom from discrimination. They cited a Delta State High Court judgment that previously declared JAMB’s directive on underage admissions null and void.
They further argued that the measure is unfair to brilliant students who excelled in the 2025 examination. According to them, less than seven percent of candidates scored 250 or higher, yet some of those high achievers were excluded solely because of their age, while older candidates with lower scores gained admission.
“The criteria for admission should be merit, not an arbitrary age restriction,” they wrote, adding that phased implementation should begin at lower school levels, not at the point of university entry.
The coalition urged the minister to intervene, describing the policy as “constitutionally void” and unjust to Nigeria’s brightest students. They said the move was not about seeking undue advantage but ensuring fairness and equal opportunity.
