The Federal Government has officially refuted widespread reports suggesting a change in the minimum age requirement for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), stating unequivocally that the age benchmark remains 10 years, not 12.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Federal Ministry of Education described the claims circulating in the media and on social platforms as false, misleading, and not reflective of any government policy.
Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, clarified the matter, urging parents, school administrators, and the general public to disregard any contrary reports.
“To be clear, the approved minimum age for admission into JSS1 is 10 years. The Ministry has not made any changes to this requirement. No child is expected to complete primary education before attaining this age,” Boriowo stated.
The clarification comes in response to a wave of viral messages that alleged the Federal Government had raised the age requirement for JSS1 to 12 years—a development that triggered confusion and concern among parents and school heads nationwide.
The Ministry further stressed that such misinformation did not originate from any official communication or directive, adding that any updates or policy changes concerning education in Nigeria would be properly communicated through official government channels.
In addition to the JSS1 clarification, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed that the minimum age for gaining entry into universities across the country remains 16 years.
“This benchmark has been put in place to ensure that students entering tertiary institutions are mature enough to handle the academic and social demands of university life,” Dr. Alausa noted.
He explained that the policy applies even to students who complete their secondary education earlier than usual. According to him, emotional and cognitive readiness is just as important as academic ability.
The Ministry also used the opportunity to caution media outlets, educational institutions, and online influencers to verify all education-related information with the appropriate authorities before publishing or sharing, to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The statement concluded with an assurance that the Ministry remains committed to upholding quality, equity, and consistency in the nation’s education system.
