By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, Nigeria | July 25, 2025
The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed as false and misleading a report published by The Punch Newspaper alleging that the Federal Government has introduced a new minimum age of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1).
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry emphasized that no such policy exists and that the report did not originate from any official or credible source within the government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for entry into JSS1 remains 10 years. No child is expected to complete primary school before that age,” the statement read.
The Ministry further reiterated that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities remains 16 years, a policy designed to ensure that students are both academically and emotionally prepared for higher education. This benchmark, according to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, is well-established and non-negotiable.
The Ministry urged media houses, educational institutions, and members of the public to verify information through official channels before dissemination, to avoid spreading misinformation.
The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to implementing age-appropriate educational policies that promote student development in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
