The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has charged the federal government to strictly enforce the 18 years age limit for admission into tertairy school as announced by the government.
Just as the NASU noted that the current step will help to redefine the lives of youths in the country.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP, ASUU president, Professor Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, blamed the private educational system for bastardizing the system which was in place years back.
He said, “Before the springing up of private schools, we used to follow six years in primary school setting and so in secondary schools whereby before a student would get to university he/she would have been 18 years old, Just as it is being done in other civilised societies.
‘’But when private institutions came in, they threw that laid down procedure aside thereby 12 years old is seen in university settings. No matter how brilliant, what can a 12 years old know in terms of discipline and maturity. They may graduate with excellent results but the needed discipline that is associated with maturity is lacking in most of them.
‘’This retracing of our steps to 18 years minimum will help to instill discipline among our youths. But my prayer is that government should have the political will power to implement it and this will be a very good development in setting good foundation for our youths towards better tomorrow.’’
On his part, the general secretary of NASU, Comrade Peter Adeyemi said, “18 years is the age of maturity.”
Adeyemi in chat with LEADERSHIP from the venue where is chairing an international conference in Lusaka, Zambia, said, “To be a university student you need some level of maturity and ability to understand life. I think 18 years is okay, if only they will adhere to it.”
It would be recalled that the federal government a few hours ago came out with an announcement on the need to have 18 years as the minimum age limit for admission into Nigerian universities.
