…may pursue broader education policies review
The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has officially revoked the 18-year minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions, bringing relief to many parents who had been worried since the former minister announced the policy.
Dr. Alausa addressed journalists at his inaugural press conference on the contentious policy after resuming office in Abuja on Tuesday.
He indicated that he may pursue a broader review of Nigeria’s education policies. However, he clarified that the government would uphold its prior decision to annul over 22,700 degree certificates from “fake” universities in neighboring Togo and Benin Republic, which had been previously flagged by the Ministry.
It would be recalled that his predecessor, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who was removed in a major shakeup that reassigned ministerial portfolios, had announced in August that individuals under the age of 18 would be barred from sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams, which serve as key qualifications for university admissions.
It was to address concerns that many admission-seeking secondary school graduates do not seem mature enough to deal with the rigours of tertiary school.
The age policy has been hotly debated, with stakeholders concerned that exceptional students could be unduly shut out of tertiary schools.
A component of the policy had it that candidates who do not spend the required years in primary and secondary school would not be allowed to write the O’level exams.
The directive said to be a reinforcement of existing rules, instructed WAEC and NECO to ensure that only students 18 years or older participate in these exams.
Prof. Mamman had stated that, following discussions with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in July, a grace period would be granted this year, allowing those below 18 to sit for the exams. However, he emphasised that starting next year, the age requirement would be strictly applied.
In response to public concerns, the government later made exceptions for exceptionally gifted students under 18, permitting them to take both WASSCE and NECO.
The new minister said an admission age of 18 years is not sustainable for the education sector.
Alausa said a limit of 16 years would be maintained while the cap would be waived altogether for students who prove to be exceptionally intelligent.
He said a cap of 18 years works against the federal government’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.
Tunji Alausa is among the 10 ministers who got new portfolios after President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle in October.
He was formerly the minister of state for health.
