The Nigerian Senate has moved to clarify recent discussions regarding the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.

The red chamber assured Nigerians that the current age requirement of 16 years has not been altered and that recent comments suggesting an increase to 18 years were personal opinions.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, emphasised that any changes to the age requirement would require legislative action following due process.

Adaramodu explained in an interview with journalists that comments made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, about increasing the minimum age limit were not legally binding but rather personal opinions.

The Minister of Education had previously hinted at plans to review and raise the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions to 18 years.

Source : https://politicsnigeria.com/senate-insists-on-16-years-as-requirement-for-tertiary-institution-admission-in-nigeria/

Sounds reasonable and credible to set the record straight before this personal counsel of the Honourable Minister creates serious problems in the university admission process if it is mistaken for the law.

Even if FG wants to experiment with a new age limit, I do not think it should be immediately implemented because the candidates have sat for the exam and chosen their preferred university based on the age limit set by their university of choice. Also, it can't be done without enacting a law to that effect and not without encroaching on the autonomy of the universities.

This comment by the Senate and last week's Punch editorial raised valid points that make such idea a misplaced priority so it's necessary for the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman , to drop the idea and let the university fix its own age limit but shouldn't be less than 16 years. According to the Head of JAMB, Prof Oloyede, the law that empowers JAMB doesn't give it power to determine age limit for admission by universities.

May God bless Nigeria for ever!Check my signature for free stuffs!

Oh ok

Crazy bunch of people!

I finished secondary school at 15 and was considered too old at home ( I moved primary school a few times costing me 2 years)

Most of my relations finished at 13 or 14

There are people abroad who graduate from University at 13,14 15 ... Yes university

Some people get PhD at 19

Putting a cap to this age of admission is wrong for a nation that wants to advance

Even though I know that this legislation will not affect their children who will graduate abroad in 2 years it’s a good legislation for the sanity of our future.

These kids need a certain level of maturity before been exposed to the many vices of tertiary institutions.

On a daily basis lives are destroyed before our own eyes so this legislation is a welcomed development.

hellunfats:
I was 15 when I got in

which school?

Lol

Semate only doing it for their kids.

They are nrver swift to act on things not affecting me.

FYI their kids attend the big private universities in Nigeria they mostly send kids abroad for postgraduates (Masters degree)

No matter how people see it, 16 years is too naive!!!

They should peg it at 18(The nigerian age of consent)... At least they can be held responsible for any decision they make.

That's good

I think it's better. Parent's now jump even primary 5 and 6 to go register their kids for waec and jamb.

Allow children to experience normal growth.

Pious101:
which school?

Me too UNN

Nice one. If age is not regulated, children will be graduating from university at age of 12 soon.

Who even came up with dis nonsense law....I gained admission age 16 (I didn't jump or skip any class and most of my colleagues were 16 as well) and i graduated age 21....most of dis boarding schs parents take their kids to sef are more dangerous than some universities...

It's not like one good job is waiting for them after sch.... U go still comut hustle like person wey no go sch, some of us dey use master's degree drive uber sef

It should be 21 for this Gen Z kiddos so they can get their driver's license and admission same year . Most of them don't have sense

University in Nigeria is a whole different world, expecially the Federal Schools.. A child shouldn't just be educationally sound to be thrown into its realm. Some degree of emotional, street smart, psychlogical and independence is important and then the student can further build on all these aspects as they go on to build intelligence as well.

While 16yrs does not guarantee anyone will already have some degree of all those, it is at least better than below 16. I see people comparing Nigeria to the West and saying they enter and graduate much earlier. We all know Nigerian Universities aren't as safe, protected and developed as those universities. Even the mature people self dey see shege, be careful not to send little kids to their ruin. Schools like Convenant and co, are better suited for much younger lads albeit not perfect too.

Be calming down 👎

16 years is Okay. This Tahir don go consume too much Fura

Okay

MEEVEET:
I finished secondary school at 15 and was considered too old at home ( I moved primary school a few times costing me 2 years)

Most of my relations finished at 13 or 14

There are people abroad who graduate from University at 13,14 15 ... Yes university

Some people get PhD at 19

Putting a cap to this age of admission is wrong for a nation that wants to advance

Those are very, very rare cases and those individuals are at genius level. Stop peddling rare occurrences as the norm.

I entered OSU at 17, graduated at 22 and I have been working for over 20years. My life didn't end because I didn't graduate at 19!!

Where are we rushing too.

So who we go believe between Minister of Education and Senate...

Seconded and reasonable but the below must be noted.....

Any changes to the age requirement would require legislative action following due process.
The comments made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, about increasing the minimum age limit were not legally binding but rather personal opinions..........at least for now.

COMPAQ:


Those are very, very rare cases and those individuals are at genius level. Stop peddling rare occurrences as the norm.

I entered OSU at 17, graduated at 22 and I have been working for over 20years. My life didn't end because I didn't graduate at 19!!

Where are we rushing too.

Those rare people are responsible for 99% of changes and advancement in science

Why cage them those rare cases is what matters most

COMPAQ:


Those are very, very rare cases and those individuals are at genius level. Stop peddling rare occurrences as the norm.

I entered OSU at 17, graduated at 22 and I have been working for over 20years. My life didn't end because I didn't graduate at 19!!

Where are we rushing too.

God bless you for this assertion.
You have said nothing but the truth here.

Btw,
We gave you your 1st like 👍

But why are parents rushing n pushing there kids even at 14years to enter universities?
I think this whole drama started when government fail to checkmate the activities of NAPAS (private schools and there owners) when they stylishly aborted primary 6 in there schools and allow children to jump classes. Some parents will want there children to be in primary 4 and write common entrance examinations all in the name of brilliance or 'my child no book"
In private schools a primary one child will be using and learning primary 2 reader and textbooks etc....does that make sense?
What is the essence of our 6-3-3-4 system if they want to go for 16years? Can such child who should still be under parental care handle the pressures that comes with campus life?
Government should act fast n do what is needed to restore lost glory in the education system.

Noted.

Instead of finding ways to checkmate the excesses of Mr Bulaba who is running this country aground,they are setting age for entry of university. What will the ministry of education now do as a work

I prefer 18

COMPAQ:


Those are very, very rare cases and those individuals are at genius level. Stop peddling rare occurrences as the norm.

I entered OSU at 17, graduated at 22 and I have been working for over 20years. My life didn't end because I didn't graduate at 19!!

Where are we rushing too.

Yes, where are they rushing to?

Your youth is meant to be enjoyed and savored, and not whizzed through so fast.

My take is, if one finishes too early, their gap years till they strike 18 should be used to learn a trade or trades. One can even master python or other programs.
.
These will ensure they are fully prepared for higher education. If there's a worry is that they may flunk out of uni because the skills they learned enable them way too earn way too much that they can't work under anyone.

My argument has always been that how many of our Federal Universities can confidently claim that a 4 year program will be completed as expected without all these unnecessary strikes ?
If you join at 18, expect to complete your program by 24 or 25. if a 5yr program, probably 26.
By the time you finish NYSC u r 28. Then one useless organization will be requiring graduates of 23yrs for employment with Masters. Where does that leave us ?