The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a new policy setting 12 years as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) after completing six years of primary education, as outlined in a policy document on Non-State Schools released by the Federal Ministry of Education on July 18, 2025.
The guideline, aimed at standardizing age-based progression, mandates that children begin primary school at age six and progress to JSS1 at around 12, ensuring they complete secondary school by approximately.
The policy aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system and addresses inconsistencies in curriculum implementation, particularly in non-state schools, which outnumber public schools in 26 states at the junior secondary level, per the Nigeria Education Digest 2022.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa emphasized age-appropriate learning, reversing a prior 18-year university entry age set by former Minister Tahir Mamman to 16. “Children shall be admitted into Primary One at six years and proceed to JSS1 at around age twelve,” the document states.
The move has sparked debate on social media, with some questioning its alignment with university admission ages, but it aims to enhance educational progression and uniformity.
