Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that candidates under 18 years old are not admitted into tertiary institutions.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, gave this directive during the 2024 Policy meeting of JAMB in Abuja, stressing that the 18-year benchmark aligns with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.
The minister criticised parents for pressuring their underage children to seek admission into tertiary institutions, stating that 18 years remains the benchmark age for admission into universities.
He also announced that the Ministry of Education is incorporating skills training starting from primary school for those unable to gain admission into tertiary institutions.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has expressed its support for the federal government’s decision, with the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tani Sule, stating that “being 18 years old ensures the necessary physical and mental readiness for higher education.”
