A 15-year-old Senior Secondary School student, Master Chinaemere Opara, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC) over a newly introduced admission policy. The case was initiated at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the student filing through his guardian and father, Mr. Maxwell Opara, a legal practitioner.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024, Chinaemere challenged the recently implemented policy that mandates a minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities. The student, a Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) pupil of Sure Start Secondary School, claims the policy is discriminatory and violates his constitutional rights.
In a six-point relief, Chinaemere is seeking a declaration that the age restriction policy infringes on his rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and equal access to public services. He contends that the policy, which bars candidates below the age of 16 from gaining admission into tertiary institutions, is unconstitutional. He argues that it violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Chinaemere emphasized that the policy interferes with his right to determine when to take the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and JAMB examinations, thus infringing on his education rights. He sought a court order to set aside the policy and restrain the Ministry of Education, JAMB, and NUC from enforcing it.
According to an affidavit submitted by Mr. Maxwell Opara, Chinaemere's father, his son is academically capable and fully prepared to sit for his WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams in the 2025 academic session, with aspirations of pursuing a degree in Medicine and Surgery. The father expressed concern that the age restriction would unjustly prevent his son from achieving his educational goals.
The case arose after the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced in July 2024 that beginning in 2025, candidates under the age of 18 would no longer be allowed to sit for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), which is a requirement for university admission. This announcement sparked widespread debate among education stakeholders, forcing the ministry to revise the policy, allowing students as young as 16 to be admitted into tertiary institutions.
At the time of filing this report, the case had not been assigned to a judge. However, the outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of Nigeria’s education system and the rights of young students.
