A 15-year-old boy, identified as Master Chinaemere Opara, has initiated a lawsuit against the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the introduction of a new, controversial admission policy. This lawsuit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the legal proceedings spearheaded by his father and legal representative, Mr. Maxwell Opara. According to the lawsuit, the recently implemented admission policy imposes restrictions that, in Chinaemere’s view, undermine fair access to tertiary education for Nigerian students, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.
The plaintiff, Chinaemere, is challenging the validity of the policy on the grounds that it discriminates against younger students who aspire to enter university but are hindered by the new age restriction. He contends that the policy, which mandates a minimum age of 16 years for university admission, violates his constitutional rights and poses significant barriers to education for many prospective students across the country. This policy, Opara claims, is not only unfair but disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged communities who might not have the resources to meet the stringent requirements.
The suit, which was filed on October 14, under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024, specifically names the Ministry of Education, JAMB, and the NUC as the first, second, and third respondents. Chinaemere is seeking six forms of relief, including a declaration from the court that the respondents’ minimum age admission policy is both discriminatory and unconstitutional. In his motion, he argues that the policy infringes on his right to freedom of expression, as protected under Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), as well as several articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
Chinaemere further asserts that his rights to peaceful assembly and association are also violated by the respondents’ policy, as it prevents him from making choices regarding his education and future career path based solely on his age. He is seeking a declaration that the age restriction, which prevents him from taking crucial exams like the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and JAMB until he turns 16, infringes on his right to equal access to public services, as enshrined in Article 13 of the African Charter.
To protect these rights, the plaintiff is asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the Ministry of Education, JAMB, and the NUC from enforcing the policy. He also seeks to have the policy completely annulled, allowing him and other young students to pursue their educational goals without the age-based restriction. Maxwell Opara, his father, filed an affidavit in support of the suit, stating that Chinaemere is currently a Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) student at Sure Start Secondary School and that the minimum age policy is directly affecting his son’s educational future.
Maxwell elaborated that the policy is unjust and discriminates against his son based on his age, arguing that such discrimination has no basis in Nigerian law. He emphasized that there is no specific law, either at the federal or state level, that mandates an age limit for university admission in Nigeria. Candidates for university admission are only required to have completed their secondary education and passed relevant exams such as WAEC or its equivalent.
The senior Opara also highlighted his son’s academic aspirations, noting that Chinaemere plans to enter SS3 in the upcoming academic session (2024/2025) and intends to take his WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams in 2025, with hopes of gaining admission into a university for the 2025/2026 academic year. Chinaemere’s long-term goal is to study Medicine and Surgery, a field that typically requires eight years of education, including one year of compulsory medical externship and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. The age restriction, Maxwell argues, unfairly delays his son’s academic journey and career plans.
In a related development, the lawsuit comes shortly after the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced in July that, starting in 2025, candidates under the age of 18 would not be permitted to sit for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), a prerequisite for university admission. This announcement has since sparked widespread debate among educators, parents, and stakeholders, leading the Minister to adjust the admission age to 16 years for entry into tertiary institutions.
The case, which has not yet been assigned to a judge, is expected to draw significant attention as it highlights broader concerns over educational access and fairness in Nigeria’s higher education system. Chinaemere and his legal team are hopeful that the court will overturn the policy and provide relief for thousands of students
across the country facing similar obstacles.
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