KEY POINTS

• The House of Representatives will hear a petition on Feb 19, 2026 challenging JAMB’s under-16 admission policy.
• Petitioners say the rule violates court rulings and constitutional protections against discrimination.
• They want the age restriction removed and affected students’ admissions reinstated.

The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions has scheduled February 19, 2026 to hear a petition challenging the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, policy that bars candidates under 16 from gaining admission, even if they passed the 2025 UTME.

The notice was formally sent electronically to the petitioners’ lawyer, Vincent Adebayo Àdòdó, by the committee’s secretariat.

The petition was submitted by a coalition known as the Movement Against JAMB Injustice 2025, made up of parents, students, and concerned stakeholders.

They argue that JAMB’s rule disqualifying candidates who had not turned 16 by August 31, 2025, unfairly blocks academically qualified students from entering tertiary institutions despite strong exam performance.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns Raised

In their September 23, 2025 petition, the group claimed the policy contradicts rulings from two superior courts and violates constitutional provisions. They contend that ignoring court judgments breaches the 1999 Constitution, which requires all authorities to obey judicial decisions.

They also argue that the rule amounts to discrimination and infringes on fundamental rights protected under Section 42 of the Constitution.

The petition also warns that the situation reflects a growing pattern of government agencies allegedly disregarding court orders and undermining the rule of law. Petitioners argue the case is significant not only for affected students but also for institutional accountability.