FG Reverses 18-Year Age Requirement For Tertiary Admissions
In a major policy shift, Nigeria’s new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has revoked the recently introduced 18-year minimum age requirement for admissions into tertiary institutions. Speaking at his inaugural press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Alausa hinted at a potential review of the national education policy to enhance inclusivity and accessibility.
The minister, however, maintained that the federal government will not overturn its decision to invalidate over 22,700 degrees obtained from unaccredited institutions in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic, emphasizing the commitment to uphold academic standards.
The 18-year age policy was introduced in July by former Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman, who directed JAMB to only admit candidates aged 18 and above. This decision, based on reports indicating negative impacts of underage enrollment on the educational system, sparked protests among stakeholders and students, prompting the National Assembly to intervene. Prof. Mamman later relaxed the age limit to allow candidates 16 and older to apply for 2024 admissions, with plans to enforce the 18-year minimum in 2025.
Dr. Alausa’s announcement marks a new direction for the Ministry of Education, signalling openness to ongoing reforms that address the needs of younger students.
