FG Backtracks, Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the 18-year admission benchmark for tertiary institutions in the country.

The erstwhile Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman, had while in office, issued an 18-year minimum age policy for university admission.

The development then, drew the ire of many stakeholders, including parents.

Alausa also hinted at the possibility of reviewing the nation’s education policy.

He disclosed this on Tuesday at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja.

“We will not be going forward with the 18-year admission benchmark. We will go with 16 years and we are going to meet with JAMB and others on that.

“There will also be exception for the gifted students. 18 years is not part of our policy again,” he said.

The minister, however, disclosed that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and the Benin Republic.

He stated that practical education will help to address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions will not continue to churn out graduates every year without providing jobs for them.

He mentioned that the federal government will collaborate with private sector operators to train students and unleash their potential.

Alausa added that universities of agriculture will be empowered to adopt commercial farming practices to combat food insecurity.