FG Sets Minimum Age at 12 for Admission into JSS1 — Official Statement
In Abuja, July 25, 2025 — The Federal Government has officially denounced reports claiming it has raised the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) to 12 years, reaffirming that the eligible age remains 10 years.
Key Points from the Official Clarification:
- The minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years, a policy that has not changed.
- The Federal Government has not approved any adjustment to raise the entry age to 12.
- The Ministry urged the public and educational stakeholders to disregard and verify any reports suggesting otherwise .
In addition, the Clarification reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains fixed at 16 years. This policy is non‑negotiable, and educational institutions are cautioned against admitting candidates below this threshold .
Why This Matters:
Raising the JSS1 minimum age to 12 was earlier reported by Vanguard, sparking widespread confusion. However, the official statement clearly refutes that claim, safeguarding educational policy clarity nationwide. Ensuring accurate dissemination is critical to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust.
Credit: Based on a clarification originally published by Vanguard Nigeria (July 25, 2025).