The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports claiming that the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) has been increased from 10 to 12 years.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, said the claim was false, not from any official source, and did not reflect the government’s education policy.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years. No child should complete primary school below that age,” she said.
She urged parents, schools, and education stakeholders to disregard the false information and rely only on official channels for policy updates.
The statement also quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who reiterated that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities remains 16 years — regardless of how early a student finishes secondary school.
He explained that this policy ensures that students are mentally and emotionally ready for the academic demands of higher education.
The Ministry further advised the public and media to confirm information from verified sources to avoid spreading misleading reports.
