The Federal Government has reinstated 16 years as the minimum age requirement for admission into Nigerian universities, reversing an earlier policy that had raised the age to 18.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Tunji Alausa, during a press briefing in Abuja. He stated that the decision to revert to the previous age benchmark was aimed at addressing the rising number of out-of-school youths and accommodating academically gifted students.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the 18-year age policy would no longer be pursued. According to him, the government recognizes the presence of students who complete secondary education before turning 18 and should not be denied access to higher education based on age alone.
The now-scrapped 18-year requirement had been introduced earlier by former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, with the intention of aligning with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 educational system. However, the policy was widely criticized by education stakeholders who argued that it would exclude many qualified students and worsen school dropout rates.
The Education Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is working closely with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to implement the revised age requirement in time for the upcoming academic session.
In a related development, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the government’s resolve to uphold academic standards by invalidating over 22,700 degrees obtained from institutions in the Benin Republic and Togo that were found to be fraudulent.
He further highlighted the administration’s plan to reorient the education system by emphasizing skill acquisition. The new policy will focus on practical training, which will account for 80 percent of learning, while theoretical instruction will make up the remaining 20 percent.
This policy shift is part of broader efforts to improve access to education, reduce unemployment, and equip Nigerian youths with relevant skills for the modern job market.
