Nigerian Government Sets Minimum Age for Tertiary Institution Admission At 18

In a move aimed at curbing premature admissions to tertiary institutions, the Nigerian government has issued a directive stipulating that candidates below the age of 18 should not be admitted. 

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, on Monday.

Expressing concern over the pressure exerted by some parents on their underage children to secure admissions, Minister Mamman explained that the 18-year benchmark aligns with the 6-3-3-4 education system.

“The minimum age of entry into the university is 18, but we have seen students who are 15 or 16 years old going in for the entrance examination,” he remarked, urging parents to refrain from pushing their wards prematurely into higher education.

“We are going to look at this development because the candidates are too young to understand what the whole university education is all about,” he added.

Highlighting the significance of skill acquisition for those unable to gain admission, Mamman affirmed the ministry’s commitment to integrating skills training into the educational curriculum from the primary school level.

“Overall, it is 20 percent that can be admitted into the university, polytechnic, and colleges of education systems.

“So, where will the 80 percent go? That is why the issue of skill acquisition is very important.

“Any student who is unable to proceed to tertiary institutions should be able to have a meaningful life after primary and secondary school education, and the only solution to this is skill acquisition,” he said.

Corroborating the minister’s stance, the spokesperson for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Fabian Benjamin, reiterated that the age of 18 aligns with the educational framework.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, who was part of the monitoring team, lauded the conduct of the 2024 UTME, particularly applauding the introduction of online examinations to combat malpractices. Sununu attributed the reduction in exam malpractices to the adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) methods.

Despite the government’s rationale behind the new directive, it has sparked criticism from various quarters, with many viewing it as a setback to the increasing trend of younger individuals graduating from higher institutions. Concerns have been raised about the potential implications on the educational aspirations of prodigious youths below the age of 18.

Furthermore, education experts have warned that the directive has the potential to bring about significant consequences for the country’s educational sector.

Below are some of the noted potential implications of the new rule:

• One immediate consequence could be restricted access to higher education for academically gifted students who are below the age of 18. While the directive aims to ensure students are sufficiently mature before entering tertiary institutions, it might inadvertently hinder the progression of exceptionally bright students who are ready to pursue advanced studies at an earlier age.
• Furthermore, there is likely to be increased pressure on secondary education systems to adequately prepare students for tertiary studies by the age of 18. Schools may find themselves compelled to review and adjust their curricula and teaching methods to ensure students are both academically and emotionally prepared for higher education at the prescribed age.
• The delay in admission until the age of 18 could also have repercussions on graduation rates in tertiary institutions. Starting a university education later may prolong the duration of academic programs, potentially leading to delays in graduating and entering the workforce.
• Moreover, the emphasis on skill acquisition for students who do not proceed to tertiary education suggests a broader shift in educational priorities. There may be a heightened focus on vocational and technical training programs to equip students with practical skills for employment opportunities outside of traditional academic pathways.
• Implementing and enforcing the age requirement could necessitate additional administrative measures within tertiary institutions and regulatory bodies. Admission processes may need to be revised to verify the age of applicants, ensuring compliance with the new directive.