The Federal Government has categorically disowned a recent media report alleging that it has set a new minimum age of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), declaring the information as false, misleading, and not reflective of its current education policy.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government reaffirmed that the official minimum age for JSS1 remains 10 years.
“Accordingly, 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,” the statement read.
The Ministry condemned the false report, emphasizing that it did not originate from any authorized government source and urged media organizations and the public to verify claims through official channels before publication or dissemination.
The statement further clarified that:
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reiterated that the prescribed minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities remains 16 years. This policy is consistent, non-negotiable, and applies regardless of how early a student may have completed secondary school.”
The Ministry noted that maintaining these age requirements is vital to ensuring the cognitive and emotional maturity of students as they transition through key academic stages.
In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and developmental appropriateness in all educational policies, urging all stakeholders to work in tandem to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
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