Parents urge JAMB to allow 16-year-old Admission into university – Reports

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A group of concerned parents in Ekiti State has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the implementation of the 16-year admission age limit policy set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The parents, led by Prof. Atiba Adeniran Samuel, expressed their concerns in a meeting with newsmen in Ado Ekiti.

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While the parents are not opposed to the policy, they believe it should not start at the intermediate level. Instead, they suggest that the implementation should begin from the entry age to primary school. “We expect enforcement at the entry level,” Samuel said. “A child of 4 years who is prevented from being admitted into a primary school has no emotional attachment, unlike a teenager who has passed all prerequisite examinations to be admitted into higher institutions.”

The parents questioned the rationale behind the policy, citing the emotional challenges their children are facing. “This is the emotional challenge we are facing at home with our children,” Samuel added. “Upon our enquiries, it was gathered that our kids signed undertakings only to be allowed to write the examination without using the same for admission. We wonder what kind of undertaking was signed without their parents?”

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The group also expressed scepticism about the claim that children who are to turn 16 by next year September are psychologically unstable. “Can JAMB know our children more than us?” Samuel asked. “Besides, have Nigerian universities recorded any unwanted or unexpected behaviours from those who were admitted ‘underaged’ in the past?”

The parents urged JAMB and the Ministry of Education to reconsider their stance and involve younger vice-chancellors and those of private universities in the decision-making process. “We charge JAMB and the Ministry of Education to call meetings of younger vice chancellors and those of private universities,” Samuel said. “Their opinions on the policy would be different.”

The group appealed to President Tinubu and the First Lady, Her Excellency Remi Tinubu, to intervene in the matter, especially as many schools are closing up on admission for the 2025/2026 academic session. “Our single prayer is that children who will be 16 years before the end of the 2025/2026 session be allowed to seek admission into any institution in Nigeria,” Samuel pleaded.

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