The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has indicated that the federal government is considering a review of the age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
Speaking after monitoring the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abuja, on Monday, Prof. Mamman expressed concern about the age of some candidates applying for the examination, stating that they were below the required age for university admission.
“That period marks the transition for students from a supervised setting where they are responsible for their own actions. Therefore, if they are too young, they may struggle to handle their responsibilities effectively. These circumstances contribute to some of the challenges observed in universities.
“We will address this matter. The prescribed entry age for university is 18. However, it is concerning to witness students as young as 15 or 16 sitting for exams. This practice is unfavorable. Parents should be encouraged not to overly pressure their children.”
Regarding the ongoing UTME, the minister commended the peaceful conduct of the examination and noted a significant reduction in irregularities compared to previous years. He attributed this improvement to the use of technology in the examination process, stating that it has made monitoring more seamless and contributed to a low level of malpractice.
In terms of admission statistics, Mamman revealed that approximately 20 percent of registered candidates are admitted to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Asked to comment on the remaining 80 percent, he emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting students in pursuing alternative paths, including skills acquisition, to ensure a meaningful life after secondary schools.
The minister also highlighted the government’s policy to provide support for parents in both tertiary education and skills development, emphasising the importance of this initiative in addressing the diverse educational needs of students.
