The Delta State High Court in Warri has issued an interim order stopping the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from enforcing its new policy requiring applicants to be at least 16 years old to gain university admission.
This decision comes after John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former Nigerian Bar Association chairman, Warri branch, challenged JAMB’s directive in court.
JAMB’s policy, announced on October 16, stated that only candidates who will be 16 years old by August 2025 would be admitted to tertiary institutions. However, an exception was made for students seeking admission in the 2024/2025 session ¹. Aikpokpo-Martins, representing candidates born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who passed the JAMB exams in 2024, sued JAMB and Edwin Clark University.
Justice Anthony Akpovi granted the applicant’s reliefs, restraining JAMB from implementing the policy pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The court also stopped JAMB from withdrawing admission given to Angel Aikpokpo Martins or restricting her access to educational facilities ¹. Justice Olotu emphasized that the reliefs were granted to preserve and protect the rights of affected candidates.
The court’s decision puts JAMB’s policy on hold, allowing candidates who do not meet the minimum age requirement to remain admitted to universities pending the hearing of the originating motion. This development may affect the admission processes for the 2025/2026 academic session.
