JUST IN: JAMB Set University Cut-Off Mark at 140: At a recent meeting, the Federal Government directed that students under 18 years old should not be admitted to tertiary institutions.
JAMB University Cut-Off Mark 2024/2025
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set 140 as the cut-off mark for university admissions. For polytechnics and colleges of education, the minimum cut-off mark is 100.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, announced these cut-off marks on Thursday in Abuja during the 2024 JAMB Policy meeting.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, along with vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars of higher institutions, and other stakeholders.
JAMB Minimum Entry Age 2024/2025
At the meeting, the Minister of Education directed that only candidates who are at least 18 years old should be admitted to tertiary institutions.
This directive drew mixed reactions from the vice-chancellors, rectors, and registrars present. The minister criticized some parents for pressuring their underage children to seek admission to tertiary institutions. Mamman emphasized that the 18-year age requirement aligns with the 6-3-3-4 education system.
“JAMB is instructed to admit only students who are at least 18 years old,” said the minister.
He emphasized that his stance is supported by Nigeria’s laws on admissions to tertiary institutions and that admission bodies should already be aware of this requirement.
“Our laws state that students start school at six years old—some may start at five—and spend six years in primary school, three years in basic education, and three years in secondary school. This is already in the law and doesn’t need a minister’s statement,” he explained.
Professor Mamman also mentioned that for those who can’t get into tertiary institutions, the Ministry of Education is introducing skills training starting from primary school.
Federal Government made U-Turn as they set 16 years as minimum age for tertiary institution admission
The Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has reversed his earlier directive that only candidates aged 18 and above could be admitted to tertiary institutions.
During a JAMB policy meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Mamman initially announced that only applicants aged 18 and above would be eligible for admission.
Stakeholders at the meeting opposed this statement, arguing that it was illogical to deny admission to a 16-year-old who had passed WAEC and JAMB.
In response, the minister agreed to the stakeholders’ suggestions. Candidates aged 16 and above will be eligible for this year’s admission, while the 18-year minimum age requirement will be enforced starting next year.
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