The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on admissions for candidates under the age of 18 into tertiary institutions in the country. This new policy has generated significant attention and debate among stakeholders.
According to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the government is considering adopting 18 years as the entry age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions of learning. This decision is in line with the 6-3-3-4 system of education, which aims to ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education.
The government's rationale for this policy is to prevent parents from pushing their wards to get admissions into tertiary institutions at a young age. Instead, the focus will be on skill acquisition for those who will not be able to gain admissions into tertiary institutions. The ban is expected to take effect from the 2024 admissions session, and its implementation is likely to have a significant impact on the education sector in Nigeria.