The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed as misleading and inaccurate reports claiming it has set 12 years as the new minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1).
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government clarified that the official minimum age for JSS1 admission remains 10 years,, and no child is expected to complete primary education before that age.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years. Any suggestion to the contrary is misleading and should be disregarded by the public and all education stakeholders,” the statement read.
Boriowo also addressed confusion regarding higher education, reiterating that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities remains 16 years, a policy the Minister of Education,
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described as “consistent, non-negotiable, and essential to ensure students’ cognitive and emotional readiness for university education.”
The Ministry urged the public, schools, and media outlets to always verify information through official channels before sharing or acting on it, warning against the spread of unverified claims that could mislead parents and education stakeholders.
