The Federal Government has debunked claims suggesting a new minimum age requirement of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), calling the report misleading and unfounded.
This clarification follows growing concerns and viral publications alleging that the Federal Ministry of Education had implemented a revised entry age for primary school graduates, setting the benchmark at 12 years.
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FG Maintains JSS1 Entry Age at 10 Years
In an official statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, the government reiterated that the existing minimum age of 10 years for JSS1 remains unchanged.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has noted with concern a false and misleading publication in a newspaper claiming that the Federal Government has set a new minimum age of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1),” the statement reads.
“This report is entirely inaccurate, did not emanate from any official source, and does not reflect government policy. No child should complete primary education below the age of 10. Any suggestion to the contrary is misleading and should be disregarded by the public and all education stakeholders.”
University Admission Age Policy Also Unchanged
The ministry also reaffirmed the non-negotiable minimum age of 16 years for admission into Nigerian universities, regardless of how early a student completes secondary education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the current age benchmarks are set to ensure that students are cognitively and emotionally prepared for each level of academic engagement.
“This policy is consistent and applies uniformly. It is meant to guarantee developmental appropriateness in our education system,” the statement added.
Call for Verification from Official Channels
The ministry further urged media outlets, educational institutions, and the general public to verify any claims or reports related to policy changes from official government channels before circulation or implementation.
“The Federal Ministry of Education urges the public, educational institutions, and media organisations to always seek clarification from official sources before acting on or publishing unverified information,” the statement concluded.
Implications for Parents, Schools, and Pupils
- JSS1 Admission Age: Remains at 10 years minimum
- University Admission Age: Remains 16 years
- Primary School Duration: Must align to ensure no child exits before age 10
- Secondary School Acceleration: Not an excuse to bypass age requirement
Key Takeaways
- No change has been made to JSS1 or university admission age requirements.
- Federal Government remains committed to developmental and age-appropriate education policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
- Stakeholders are advised to disregard misleading publications and verify facts via the Federal Ministry of Education.
