A Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has ruled that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)’s requirement of a minimum admission age of 16 years for Nigerian universities is unconstitutional.
Presiding over the case John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) & 4 Ors, Justice Anthony Akpovi delivered the judgment in Suit No: W/311/FHR/2024, siding with the applicant’s argument that the policy violates constitutional provisions on education and discrimination.
The court agreed with the submissions of John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, and ruled in his favor, although it declined his request for damages.
Aikpokpo-Martins had filed a public interest lawsuit challenging JAMB’s directive, which set 16 years as the minimum admission age for university entry. He argued that the restriction contradicts Section 18(1) and Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantee equal educational opportunities and freedom from discrimination.
Among the reliefs sought were:
- A declaration that JAMB’s policy is unconstitutional and violates students' right to education and freedom from discrimination.
- An order nullifying JAMB’s circular dated October 16, 2024, which directed universities to admit only candidates who would be 16 years old by August 31, 2025.
- A directive compelling universities to admit candidates who turn 16 at any point in 2025, provided they meet other admission requirements.
- A perpetual injunction preventing JAMB and universities from denying admission based solely on age restrictions.
The court’s decision is expected to have significant implications for university admissions across Nigeria, potentially allowing younger students who meet academic requirements to secure admission without age-related restrictions.
