Federal government has reversed the controversial 18-year entry age for university education.
The new minister of education, Dr Morufu Alausa, announced this while briefing the press upon assuming office yesterday in Abuja.
LEADERSHIP reports that the policy, initially approved by immediate past minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, sparked debates regarding its impact on student admissions.
Alausa stated that the policy was detrimental to the federal government’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country and was not sustainable in the education sector.
However, he confirmed that the 16-year age limit would be maintained, with exceptions for gifted children.
He said the initial decision had been based on the National Policy on Education design.
“We will not be going forward with the 18-year admission benchmark. We will go for 16 years and meet with JAMB and other stakeholders.
“There will also be exceptions for gifted students. 18 years is no longer part of our policy,” he said.
Speaking on certificates obtained from universities in Benin Republic and Togo, the minister said the policy to withdraw such certificates would remain in place to help eliminate fake certificates from the system.
He highlighted the issue of out-of-school children as a priority for the ministry and added that various solutions would be considered to reduce the numbers.
Alausa said the ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide conditional cash transfers as incentives to increase school enrolment.
He also mentioned that nutritional programs would be introduced to support students’ health, enhancing human capital development.
The Minister further stressed that practical education would be prioritised to help address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions would only continue to produce graduates yearly with corresponding job opportunities.
He said the federal government would work with private sector operators to train students and help unleash their potential.
Additionally, he stated that agricultural universities would be empowered to embrace mechanised farming to address food insecurity.
