Nigerian Government Sets Minimum Age Requirement for University Admission
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has revealed plans to review the age limit for seeking university admission in Nigeria, proposing a minimum age of 18. He expressed concern over the presence of underage candidates, aged 15, 16, and 17, sitting for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across the country.
According to Mamman, many UTME candidates are too young to grasp the essence of tertiary education. He emphasized that 18 is the standard entry age for university, and it is imperative for parents to refrain from pressuring their children into early admission.
Acknowledging the current scenario, where underage students participate in the UTME, Mamman urged parents and guardians to allow their children to reach a certain level of maturity before taking the examination, enabling them to handle university life responsibly.
The minister commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for conducting a transparent and technology-driven examination process, which has reduced the likelihood of malpractice.
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In light of the upcoming 2024 UTME, candidates have been advised to acquire basic computer skills to navigate the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format effectively. Osunwoye Samuel, an admission seeker tutor, emphasized the importance of being well-prepared and demonstrating intelligence during the examination.