Recently, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced that admission into tertiary institutions should not be given to candidates less than 18 years old, adding that the 18-year benchmark was in line with the 6-3-3-4 system of education. This development has generated many reactions from Nigerians who are for and against it. KINGSLEY ALUMONA, YUSUF ABDULKADIR, and TEMILOLUWA AKINOLA sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on this matter. Their views:
Esther Adebayo
This new rule sabotages the true definition and nature of growth. Age is just a number. The rule seeks to define maturity in Nigeria. It depreciates the level of knowledge and growth expected in tertiary institutions. It is therefore interpreted that if after this law is enacted and people from 18 years upwards perform below expectation, there would be a change in the definition of mature minds. This does not solve the questionable behaviours of the previous age range accepted for admission into tertiary institutions. This encapsulates academic and environmental teachings by teachers and most especially, parents.
Azeez Alamu
Imagine gaining admission at age 21 after multiple trials, as you were unlucky to be admitted at 18 years, then you spent six or seven years for a four-year course because of strikes. With a one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), you would be a full-fledged graduate at 28/29 years. How does such a graduate join the labour force when all recruitment agencies are settling for 26/27 years as the age limit for employment? The policy is irrational, considering the scenarios highlighted above.
Ohere Taofeek
The Minister of Education’s decision to establish 18 years as the entry age for tertiary education in Nigeria has its merits, aiming to promote maturity and better academic preparedness. However, it could also disadvantage younger or differently educated students. Given Nigeria’s educational system challenges, like frequent strikes, the policy should be implemented carefully to ensure it does not unintentionally limit opportunities for deserving individuals.
A.O. Ahmed
The drawbacks are more than its merits. As a graduate, I think that many factors like admission stress, strike, national/global issue, and others, should be considered before the implementation. While the graduating age is important in the workforce, not all applicants are capable of footing the bills for tertiary institutions which would make them boycott the listed factors. It is indisputable that there are applicants below 18 years who are academically sound. It would be fair if the Federal Government could put other strict measures in monitoring admission into tertiary institutions.
Rahmat Aliyu
As a student in her early 20s in the university, I think this will be a great opportunity for those who are not yet 18 years old to have the opportunity to explore their interests. There should be programmes to equip these students to build relevant skills related to their field of study. If I had this opportunity during my time, I would have been able to take up skills before I entered the university.
Abdulazeez Taofeek
It is a bold step and should be encouraged as a way of achieving quality education in Nigeria. While this might seem retarding compared to what is obtainable in other countries where we have doctorates in their late 20s to 30s, the educational standard of 6-3-3-4 is not a waste. Rather than rush into the university, minors should focus on acquiring skills that are tangible to solve contemporary problems — at least, acquiring skills has no age limit — and complement them with a university degree.
Hakeem
I think it is a right move. Tertiary institutions are not just about going to school, but about being productive. The challenging part is the influence on the child by others, especially those much older than him or her. Graduating early is not the case. What matters is how productive the students would be and how they could carry on the tasks, which in most cases require age and maturity. You cannot put an old head on a young shoulder.
Elijah Aderemi
The policy is reasonable. The rate of underage candidates seeking admission is alarming. Some underage admission seekers find it difficult to understand simple instructions and guidelines regarding the admission process. They lack emotional intelligence. However, the problem with this policy is that the tertiary education system is very slow and unpredictable. Seeking admission until you are 18 years old comes with delays in gaining admission, strikes, and unreasonable delays before you graduate, and it might be frustrating. When you are lucky enough to gain admission at 18 years old, you are not sure of when you will graduate. NYSC age limit is there. The job opportunity age limit is there too.
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