FG abolishes 18-year admission age for tertiary education
By Jeffrey Agbo
In a major policy shift, the Nigerian Federal Government has removed the controversial 18-year age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
The announcement was made by the new Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who also signaled plans for a wider review of Nigeria’s education policies under his leadership.
This move, expected to impact the admission process for thousands of prospective students, represents a significant overhaul of the nation’s education system. It comes amid ongoing reforms aimed at addressing various challenges within the sector.
At his first press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Alausa explained that the decision to abolish the admission age limit was part of the government’s broader efforts to make the educational system more inclusive and flexible.
While outlining the government’s intent to review broader educational policies, Alausa remained firm in upholding the decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from unaccredited universities in neighboring Togo and Benin Republic.
The crackdown on these fraudulent qualifications continues to be a top priority for the Ministry.
“There will be no reversal on the decision regarding the 22,700 certificates,” Alausa stated. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of our education system.”
The minister’s remarks have prompted widespread reactions, with many in the education sector and beyond now eagerly awaiting more details about the upcoming policy review.