The Federal Government has formally set 12 years as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), aligning with a renewed effort to standardize progression through Nigeria’s basic education system.
The policy, detailed in a new document from the Federal Ministry of Education on Non-State Schools, stipulates that children must complete six years of primary schooling, starting at age six, before moving into JSS1 at about age 12.
This follows three years of nursery education from age three, plus a compulsory pre-primary year at age five, in line with the 2013 edition of the National Policy on Education.
“Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration, comprising six years of primary and three years of junior secondary education,” the document reads. “Children shall be admitted into Primary One at six years of age, and into JSS1 at about 12 years.”
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With this structure, students are now expected to complete secondary education by age 18, a benchmark that aligns with earlier recommendations for university entry.
While former Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman had previously endorsed 18 as the lower age limit for university admission, current Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has reviewed the guideline back to 16 years.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said “This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. 16 years is non-negotiable,” he said.