The Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State , Professor Olufemi Adeoluwa has said that the age limit set by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) for candidates’ admission into universities is in line with Nigeria national education policy.
He added that the policy of under sixteen not being in the university system is not new in the country as it has been in operation since late 70’s to 80’s.
Professor Adeoluwa stated this in Ikere Ekiti, while addressing a news conference, heralding the maiden convocation ceremony of the institution which he said is founded on the principles of academic excellence, innovation and community services.
He said the university, established on October 16, 2020 is presently running a total of 78 academic programmes including 2 compulsory courses in practical agriculture for every students.
The Professor of Educational Technology said that a total number of 1,109 students would be graduating at the maiden convocation ceremony of university.
“These consists of 172 of the College of Education, 392 of the College of Science, 499 of the College of Social and Management Science and 46 of the College of Technology”.
The breakdown of the classes of Degree, according to him include, 38 in First Class, 425 in Second Class Upper, 586 in Second Class Lower and 60 in Third Class.
“On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the convocation lecture would be delivered by the Nigeria former ambassador to Germany and Emeritus Professor of History, Akinjide Osuntokun while the Honorary Doctorate Degrees of the university would be conferred on some eminent personalities.
“They are: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, HRM Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Hon. Mohammed Sani Musa and the Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), Dr Tunji Olowolafe.”
Speaking further on the JAMB age-limit for candidates, He said, “In 1980 when I took JAMB form , the policy was already in place except the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at that time. It was the only university with no age limit for the admission of candidates, so it is not a new thing.
“But JAMB has taken another decision on the issue, by allowing candidates that are below age sixteen, that can proof that he or she is a highflyer to take the JAMB form, write the examination and with high score, they will be offered admission into university. What the examination body is doing falls in line with the national policy on education that Nigeria is running.
” I must say that in some countries outside Nigeria, that is the kind of policy they put in place. Maturity sometimes, we may say is not necessarily be according to age, but age has its contribution to maturity and universities are not meant for babies but for adults.”
The VC who revealed that the university presently received monthly subvention of N275.8 million with the wage bill around N430 million monthly, said the amount that could be adequate to run the university is in the neighborhood of N500 million monthly .
