The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish guidelines concerning the 18-year age limit for university admissions.
Additionally, the government clarified that this age limit does not apply to students taking WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or any other ordinary-level examinations.
During his keynote address at the Ministerial Session of the 68th National Council on Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman stressed the importance of providing clear information regarding the policy.
The theme of the 68th NCE meeting was “Innovation, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship: Tools for Education and National Development in the 21st Century.”
It is worth noting that in July, Prof. Mamman announced that starting in 2025, candidates under the age of 18 would be prohibited from sitting for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, which is a requirement for admission to higher education institutions.
This declaration ignited significant debate among education stakeholders and parents alike.
However, Mamman pointed out that the Ministry intends to create guidelines for exceptionally gifted students who may not meet the age criteria.
“There is a need to clarify the misconceptions surrounding the 18-year age limit for university admissions.
The Ministry is simply emphasising the age requirement for entry into tertiary institutions as outlined in the National Policy on Education, the UBEC Act, and the Education (Minimum) Standards Act 1993, not the age for participating in WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or any ordinary level examinations.
“However, the Ministry acknowledges that some children are exceptionally intelligent and the Ministry will work out a guideline to deal with cases of genuine exceptionally intelligent learners.”
Mamman also announced that a new curriculum for basic education and senior secondary education in Nigeria is set to be introduced this October.
This curriculum, he said, aims to integrate knowledge, skills, and values with a strong emphasis on equipping students for productive lives.
He expressed gratitude to the National Educational Research and Development Council for their work in creating the curriculum aligned with the national skills framework.
Furthermore, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu Tanko, underscored the significance of fostering the creative and innovative talents of young Nigerians.
He encouraged initiatives aimed at assisting students in turning their ideas into income-generating opportunities and creating jobs.
“It is crucial that our approach addresses existing challenges while considering the diverse interests within our nation,” he stated, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield meaningful recommendations for the education sector.
