Delta Court Rules: All Qualified 2024 UTME Candidates Must Be Admitted, Overturning JAMB's Age Restriction

A Delta State High Court in Warri has ordered the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to admit all qualified candidates for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), regardless of their age. This ruling comes in response to JAMB's recent directive, which mandated that only candidates who would be at least 16 years old by August 31, 2025, could gain admission into tertiary institutions.

Justice A.O. Akpovi issued an interim injunction preventing JAMB from enforcing its age restriction policy until further hearings are conducted. This injunction maintains the status quo regarding admissions prior to JAMB's October 16, 2024, circular.

The legal action was initiated by John Aikpokpo-Martins, representing candidates born between September 1 and December 31, 2009, who successfully passed their JAMB exams in 2024. The suit argues that the age restriction is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

The court has scheduled expedited hearings for October 31, November 8 and 21, and December 4, 2024, to resolve the matter promptly.

This court decision allows candidates who meet all other admission criteria to secure their places in universities without being barred by age restrictions. It underscores ongoing discussions about educational policies and the rights of students in Nigeria.