18-Year Admission Age Detrimental, Favors Northerner — Nigeria Union of Teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers criticized the proposed policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old for tertiary institution admission, arguing it could hinder students’ progress, while others support it for ensuring maturity and readiness for higher education.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticized the proposed policy mandating that students must be at least 18 years old to gain admission into tertiary institutions, calling it detrimental to students’ progress.

This policy, set to take effect in 2025, was proposed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and discussed at the 2024 stakeholders’ meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examination (JAMB).

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Isa’aq Oloyede, has also expressed concerns about underage candidates taking the UTME.

However, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, Secretary-General of the NUT, argued in an interview with The PUNCH that delaying the policy’s implementation until 2025 would be ineffective. He suggested that a more gradual approach, beginning with children being at least six years old to enter primary one, would be more effective.

This adjustment would mean that students would generally be 18 by the time they complete secondary school, allowing them to enter university at an appropriate age.

Ike-Ene raised concerns about the sudden policy shift, which he believes could unfairly impact gifted students and lead to legal challenges. He emphasized the need for thorough research and public consultation before implementing such a policy.

He also suggested that the policy seemed politically motivated, possibly favoring the northern regions of Nigeria where lower JAMB cut-off marks are prevalent.

Contrarily, Mrs. Dideolu Adekogbe, an educationist and founder of Florishgate Consult, supported the 18-year age requirement.

She argued that this would help reduce problems in higher institutions, as students would be more mature and better prepared for the challenges of adulthood. Adekogbe pointed out that in other countries, rules are strictly followed, and proper age requirements are enforced, unlike in Nigeria.

She stressed the importance of collaboration between universities and the Federal Government for the policy’s success, emphasizing that proper preparation for adulthood involves acquiring essential social and life skills.

READ ALSO: JAMB Warns Parents Against Falsifying Wards’ Ages for Admission

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PUNCH