News
Court declares JAMB age minimum unconstitutional
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB
‘s 16-year as minimum age for admission has been declared unconstitutional by the Delta State High Court 2, sitting in Warri.
Hon. Justice Anthony on Thursday delivered a judgment declaring the 16-year minimum admission age for universities, set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), unconstitutional and illegal.
In a suit No: W/311/FHR/2024, the court delivered in favour of the claimant, John Aikpokpo-Martins, except for his relief for damages.
The case, John Aikpokpo-Martins who is a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA vs Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) & four others, challenged the age restriction on constitutional grounds.
The lawyer averred that he filed the suit in public interest insisting that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institution was an infraction on Sections 18(1) and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. He sought several reliefs, including:
“A declaration that restricting university admission to candidates aged 16 and above violates the constitutional mandate for equal educational opportunities and the right to freedom from discrimination.
“An order setting aside JAMB’s circular of 16 October 2024, which enforced the age limit.
