Federal Government Debunks Claims of New 12-Year Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission

written by uzuh Rita
Abuja, Nigeria | July 26, 2025 — The Federal Ministry of Education has officially refuted media reports suggesting that the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) has been raised from 10 to 12 years.

The clarification was issued on Friday in a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry’s Director of Press, who labeled the report—originally published by The Punch newspaper—as “entirely inaccurate” and not reflective of any existing government policy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for JSS1 admission remains 10 years. No child should complete primary education below the age of 10,” Boriowo stated.

The Ministry urged the public, media platforms, and education stakeholders to disregard the false claim and avoid spreading misinformation that could disrupt academic planning for students and parents.

The statement also addressed confusion surrounding earlier reports quoting Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, who was incorrectly cited as endorsing the age increase. Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that the age requirement for university admission remains 16 years, describing it as a consistent and non-negotiable policy.

“This age benchmark ensures the emotional and cognitive maturity of students as they transition into higher academic levels,” the Ministry noted.

The Federal Ministry of Education further advised the public to verify all education-related updates through official government channels to avoid being misled by unverified sources. Story by SpringnewsNG Media Limited