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Court Stops JAMB From Enforcing 16-Year Admission Age Limit

Published

2 months ago

Oct 27, 2024.

The Delta State High Court in Warri has issued an interim order suspending the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) new policy setting 16 as the minimum age for university admission.

The court granted this injunction pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Warri, who is representing candidates born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who passed the JAMB exams in 2024.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the suit, numbered W/311/FHR/2021, lists JAMB and Edwin Clark University as respondents.

This legal action follows JAMB’s October 16 announcement that from August 2025, candidates must be at least 16 years old to gain admission to tertiary institutions.

Justice Anthony Akpovi, in his ruling, upheld the applicant’s request, as noted in a Certified True Copy of the judgment.

The court order prevents JAMB and affiliated institutions from enforcing the new age rule until the primary motion is resolved.

Additionally, Aikpokpo-Martins requested an interim order to prevent JAMB and Edwin Clark University from retracting Angel Aikpokpo-Martins’ admission or restricting her rights as a student.

JAMB 16-Year Admission Age

Justice Akpovi ruled, “Reliefs 1 and 2 are granted to preserve the rights of Nigerian children born from September 1 to December 31, 2009, who passed the 2024 JAMB exams, ensuring their admission remains valid.

JAMB’s directive, dated October 16, 2024, is placed on hold, maintaining the prior admission status until the main motion is heard. Reliefs 3(a) and (b) for substituted service by courier are granted, along with Relief 4 for an accelerated hearing.”