Tertiary education: Nigeria introduces age restrictions for admissions, citizens react

The Nigerian government has announced an immediate ban on admissions for candidates under the age of 18 into tertiary institutions across the country.

Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced this during the 2024 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

“JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underaged students, those under the age of 18, into our tertiary institutions from this 2024 admissions,” Mamman said.

According to the minister, the Federal Government is contemplating a policy change to make 18 the entry age for tertiary education.

The move has since generated reactions. Isioma Isichei said, “It is a good policy. Even the official age for tertiary institutions in many states in America is 18 years.”

ZaYn Eeshaq Earl also backed the policy change, stressing, “I concur with that policy, come to my university and a bunches of kindergarten, called university students. The value of university is fast eroding, thank you Mr Minister.”

James Gabriel lauded the policy, noting,“This will stop silly skipping/jumping of classes especially by students who are not even fast learners. Let them go through all the classes and finish secondary school at 17 at most.If u still happen to finish secondary at a young age,then spend some years acquiring a lucrative skill.It’s a win win for the students in the long run. He called on the government to consider removing the age limit for job applicants or setting it at 40, providing more opportunities for individuals to join the workforce.”

Ejeh Sunday Amogo  expressed fear that the same rule may be applied to the children of the downtrodden. He commented, “But across the world we celebrate young professors and professionals at tender age, I hope the same will be applicable to elite children too and come to think of it most of the elite children are based and schooled abroad it might affect them.”