’10 years, not 12′ – FG clarifies JSS1 admission age

The federal government has disclaimed a report making the rounds that it has introduced a new minimum age of 12 years for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1). 

The government described the report as “entirely inaccurate,” saying it did not originate from any official source and does not reflect any existing government policy.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry clarified that “the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years.”

The statement further emphasized, “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 ministry’s statement reads: “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 Ministry wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely inaccurate, did not emanate from any official source, and does not reflect government policy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into 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 ministry also addressed university admissions stating that “the prescribed minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities is 16 years.”

The policy, the ministry said, is “consistent, non-negotiable, and applies uniformly, regardless of how early a student may have completed secondary education.”

The statement added, “The ministry maintains that this age benchmark ensures the cognitive and emotional readiness of students for higher academic engagement.”

It concluded with a call to action: “The Federal Ministry of Education urges the public, educational institutions, and media organisations to always seek clarification from official channels before acting on or publishing unverified information. The ministry remains committed to ensuring transparency and developmental appropriateness in the implementation of all educational policies in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”