- Key Point: The Delta State High Court in Warri has stopped the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from enforcing its new policy requiring a minimum age of 16 for university admissions.
The policy, announced on October 16, stated that only candidates who will be 16 years old by August 2025 would be admitted to tertiary institutions. However, JAMB made an exception for students seeking admission in the 2024/2025 session.
Background of the Case
Dissatisfied with JAMB’s directive, John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former Nigerian Bar Association chairman, Warri branch, took the admission board to court. Aikpokpo-Martins sued JAMB and Edwin Clark University on behalf of all candidates born between September 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, who passed the JAMB exams in 2024.
The court ruled in favor of Aikpokpo-Martins. The court stopped JAMB from implementing the age restriction policy pending the hearing and determination of the motion. Additionally, the court prevented JAMB from withdrawing admission given to affected students or restricting their access to educational facilities.
The court’s decision puts JAMB’s circular dated October 16, 2024, on hold, maintaining the admission list prior to the circular until the hearing of the originating motion.
