15-Year-Old Student Sues Education Ministry, JAMB, NUC Over Age-Based Admission Policy

A 15-year-old student, Chinaemere Opara, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC), challenging the policy that limits university admissions to students aged 18 and above.
The suit was submitted through his father and legal guardian, Maxwell Opara, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In his filing, Chinaemere argues that the age restriction for university admission is discriminatory and violates his constitutional rights.

According to Report , the case, officially marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024 and filed on October 14, lists the Ministry of Education, JAMB, and NUC as respondents.

The student seeks a declaration from the court to recognize that the age limit for admission is unconstitutional and restricts his freedom of expression and equal access to public education services, as guaranteed under Nigerian law and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

He has requested an injunction to prevent the respondents from interfering with his educational ambitions and to overturn the policy.

The suit outlines that the policy infringes on Chinaemere’s right to choose when to complete exams like WAEC and JAMB and pursue higher education based on his abilities rather than his age.

His father, Maxwell Opara, explains that the policy restricts the rights of young and capable students like his son, who is currently in SS2 and plans to complete his secondary education in the 2024/2025 academic year.

According to Maxwell Opara, his son “read from online newspaper that the 1st respondent stated that there’s no going back on the implementation of his policy which stated that any person below 16 years would not be qualified to get admission in the university no matter how brilliant the person is.

“That since then the applicant believes that his right to education has been or likely to be violated.

“That the applicant would enter SS 3 in this 2024/2025 academic session with his plan/arrangements of writing his WAEC, NECO AND JAMB in 2025 with his expectations of gaining admission in 2025/2026 university academic sessions.

“That I know as of fact that in Nigeria, there is no specific age limit for gaining admission into universities.

“However, candidates typically must have completed their secondary education and sat for WASSCE or its equivalent.

“That I know as of fact that in Nigeria most universities in require candidates to meet certain academic qualifications, such as having a minimum number of credits in relevant subjects and passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“That I know as of fact that in Nigeria there is no federal or state law making age a barrier for the applicant to gain admission.

“That the applicant strongly believes that he will perform excellently and make good grades in all the subjects that will be required for him to gain admission.

“That the applicant wants to study Medicine & Surgery whose duration is six years along with a mandatory 1-year youths service and 1-year compulsory Medical Externship totalling all 8 years.”

The case remains unassigned to a judge as of the time this report was submitted.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, stated that the ministry was not officially aware of the case but acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding the policy.

She noted that adjustments might still be made to address public concerns and allow for provisions for exceptionally talented students.

“I am just hearing about the case now…But then, those who are following the conversation around the minimum age will attest to the fact that it is a not closed matter.

“Meetings are being held to fine-tune the process, and I wonder why some people would rush to the court,” Boriowo said.

Naija News recalls that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed in July that from 2025 onwards, students below 18 would be ineligible for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, necessary for entering higher education.

However, the announcement generated significant controversy among education professionals and parents, causing Mamman to set the admission age at 16 for the current academic cycle.

At the 68th National Council on Education session in Abuja, Prof. Mamman, clarified that the age limit primarily applies to tertiary admissions and not O’level exams like WAEC and NECO.

“There is a need to clarify yet again the misrepresentation on the issue of the 18 years age limit for admission to universities which was earlier mentioned,” Prof. Mamman said.

He further emphasized that considerations will be made for students with exceptional academic abilities.

“The ministry was only drawing attention to the age requirement for entry into tertiary institutions as enshrined in the National Policy on Education (6-3-3-4 System); the UBEC Act and Education (Minimum) Standards Act 1993, and not the age limit for students participating in WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, NABTEB or any Ordinary Level examination.

“Nevertheless, the ministry acknowledges that some children are exceptionally intelligent, and the ministry will work out a guideline to deal with cases of genuine exceptionally intelligent learners,” he said.