A 15-year-old student, Master Chinaemere Opara, has taken legal action against the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the government’s policy limiting university admission to students aged 18 and above.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the student by his father and legal guardian, Maxwell Opara, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024, was su
bmitted on October 14, 2024, following concerns that the policy violates the student’s rights.
Challenging Age Restriction Policy
In the suit, the student argued that the age restriction policy discriminates against younger, qualified applicants and violates his constitutional rights to education, self-determination, and freedom from discrimination, as enshrined under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
Opara seeks six reliefs, including an order from the court to declare the age restriction unconstitutional and discriminatory. He is also requesting a permanent injunction preventing the ministry, JAMB, and NUC from enforcing the policy.
His father explained that Chinaemere, currently in SS2 at Sure Start Secondary School, plans to complete his secondary education and sit for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB in 2025. The age policy would potentially prevent him from securing admission into the 2025/2026 academic session, despite his readiness and academic qualifications.
No Law Specifies Age Limit, Plaintiff Argues
Maxwell Opara emphasized that there is no federal or state law enforcing an age limit for university admission in Nigeria. “Most universities require academic qualifications, such as passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but age has never been a formal barrier,” he noted.
The plaintiff expressed concerns that the age policy threatens his son’s educational goals, including his ambition to study Medicine and Surgery, which requires a minimum of eight years of study and service, including youth service and medical externship.
Ministry Responds, Calls for Dialogue
Reacting to the lawsuit, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, said the ministry had not been officially served with the suit. She, however, acknowledged that discussions on the age policy are ongoing.
“This is not a closed matter. Meetings are being held to fine-tune the process. It is surprising that some individuals have opted for legal action,” Boriowo stated.
At a recent meeting of the National Council on Education, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that while the policy aims to regulate entry into tertiary institutions, exceptional students would be given special consideration. He also emphasized that the age limit applies only to university admissions, not O’level examinations like WAEC or NECO.
Prof. Mamman further explained that the policy aligns with the National Policy on Education (6-3-3-4 System) and relevant education laws.
Unresolved Questions
As of the time of reporting, JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin had not responded to inquiries regarding the matter, and officials from the NUC were unavailable for comment.
The case has yet to be assigned to a judge.
Stay tuned to VOP News for updates on this developing story.
SOURCE : DAILY TRUST