New Education Minister Revokes 18-Year Minimum Admission Age Limit for Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian government has lowered the minimum age for tertiary admission from 18 to 16, now allowing 16-year-olds to apply, while prioritizing out-of-school children and implementing measures to improve school attendance and student health.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has reversed the previous policy setting an 18-year age minimum for tertiary admissions, now allowing 16-year-olds to apply, with exceptions for gifted students.

Speaking at his first press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Alausa explained that the initial age benchmark was based on how the National Policy on Education was structured, but moving forward, the ministry would revert to a 16-year standard in collaboration with JAMB.

Additionally, he affirmed the continued ban on certificates from Benin Republic and Togo to curb the prevalence of fake credentials.

Dr. Alausa highlighted out-of-school children as a priority issue, outlining plans to partner with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to offer conditional cash transfers as incentives for school attendance and to introduce nutrition programs aimed at improving student health and supporting human capital development.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasiru Sani-Gwarzo, officially welcomed Dr. Alausa and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, into office.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, DAILY NIGERIA