The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions has scheduled 19th February 2026 for the hearing of a petition challenging the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's policy that bars candidates under 16 years from gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
The hearing notice was conveyed through an electronic communication served on the petitioners' counsel, Vincent Adebayo Àdòdó, by the Committee's Secretariat.
The petition was filed by a group called Movement against JAMB Injustice 2025, comprising parents, students, and concerned individuals affected by the policy. JAMB has blocked admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 session for qualified candidates who had not turned 16 as of 31st August 2025, despite their performance in the 2025 UTME.
In their petition dated 23rd September 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, the movement, through their counsel Vincent Adodo, argued that enforcement of the policy violated court judgments and constitutional provisions.
They stated that "the action of JAMB in enforcing the policy in disobedience to the judgments of two superior courts of record violates the 1999 Constitution which mandates all authorities and persons to obey the judgments of courts." They also contended that "the action of JAMB violated the fundamental rights of the petitioners against their right to freedom from discrimination guaranteed by Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution."
The petitioners outlined the reliefs they are seeking from the House of Representatives, stating that "among other prayers, the movement in its Petition prays the House of Representatives to direct JAMB to lift the age restriction for all qualified candidates who passed the UTME in 2025, restore the admission of all candidates whose admission has been withdrawn or suspended based on the policy."
The petition addressed broader concerns, stating that "this Petition and the events surrounding it again highlight the growing trend of institutional impunity among Nigerian government agencies who, especially in recent years, normalised the attitude of disobedience to court judgments and acts suggesting that they lack respect for the rule of law."
It also noted the impact on affected candidates, stating that "this particular case is important given that it touches on the lives of thousands of children who are forced to remain at home doing nothing despite having met all qualifications to gain admission into the tertiary institutions and make meaningful use of their time."
The group concluded by stating that "the fate of these children will ultimately depend on the proactiveness of the House of Representatives in handling this petition."
