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15-Year-Old Nigerian student sue Jamb over age restriction for university admissions

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Chinaemere Opara, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School student, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Ministry of Education, JAMB, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for implementing a policy that restricts university admissions to students aged 18 and above. The suit, filed through his father and legal guardian, Maxwell Opara, challenges the policy as discriminatory and unconstitutional. Opara, who is preparing for his WAEC and JAMB exams, argues that his right to education is being violated by this age-based restriction.

In his legal motion, Opara seeks a court declaration that the age limit infringes on his fundamental rights to equal access to education and freedom from discrimination, as enshrined in both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. He also demands an injunction preventing the government from enforcing the policy, which he believes disproportionately affects young, academically gifted students like himself.

The controversial policy has stirred debate within Nigeria’s education sector since its introduction. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that the age limit was part of the National Policy on Education but noted that exceptions would be made for exceptionally gifted students. However, Opara’s lawsuit asserts that the current framework still creates unnecessary barriers for younger students who meet academic requirements.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge, the Ministry of Education has yet to formally respond. Meanwhile, education stakeholders continue to express concern over the long-term impact of the age policy on Nigeria’s academic landscape.