The Nigerian government has introduced a new directive for university admissions, setting a minimum age of 18 for entry into tertiary institutions.
This aligns with the country’s existing 6-3-3-4 education system, which comprises 6 years of primary school, 3 years of junior secondary school, 3 years of senior secondary school, and 4 years of university education.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, expressed concerns about underage students taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He believes that 18 is a more appropriate age for students to begin university studies, as it allows for greater maturity and better aligns with the completion of the secondary school curriculum.
The Minister also urged parents to avoid pressuring their children into early university entrance, suggesting that this pressure may stem from a misunderstanding of what university education entails.
By enforcing a minimum age requirement, the government aims to ensure that students are better prepared for the demands of university life and studies.
This directive aims to promote a more supportive and inclusive education system, allowing students to develop the necessary skills and maturity before entering university.
