A 15-year-old Senior Secondary School student named Chinaemere Opara has taken legal action against Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC). He is contesting a recent government policy that restricts university admissions to students aged 18 and older starting in 2025.
In July, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, announced that students under 18 would not be allowed to take the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, which is necessary for university admission. This announcement sparked significant debate among educators and parents. Following the backlash, the Minister later agreed to allow students aged 16 and above to apply for university admission this year.
Opara filed his lawsuit on October 14, 2024, through his father, Mr. Maxwell Opara, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the suit, he claims that the minimum age policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional. He argues that it violates his rights to freedom of expression and education, as stated in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In his legal documents, Opara seeks a court ruling declaring the policy as unfair and asking the court to prevent the education authorities from enforcing it. He points out that there is currently no specific age limit for gaining university admission in Nigeria, as long as students have completed their secondary education and passed the required examinations.
Mr. Maxwell Opara emphasized that his son is eager to take the necessary exams and hopes to gain admission into medical school. He believes that this new policy could hinder talented students from pursuing their aspirations.
As of now, the case has not yet been assigned to a judge. When asked about the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education stated they were unaware of it and noted that discussions regarding the minimum age policy are ongoing.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about educational policies in Nigeria and their impact on students’ rights and access to higher education. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of university admissions in the country.
