The Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, wanted to set the minimum age for university admission at 18. However, during a meeting organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), many people disagreed. So, he changed his mind.
Now, students who are 16 years old can also apply to universities. Prof. Mamman made this change because students who are under 18 have already taken and passed their entrance exams and are waiting for admission.
The Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof. Kayode Thadius Ijiadunola, was one of the leaders in this decision. He said that students who are 16 and have passed their exams should be allowed to go to university. Many other university leaders agreed with him.
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the head of JAMB, asked why everyone was in such a hurry. He suggested starting the 18-year age rule next year so that students and their parents would have time to prepare.
Even though the minister reminded everyone that the official education system is set up for older students, he agreed to allow 16-year-olds to apply this year. There was a lot of applause when Prof. Oloyede thanked the minister for agreeing but said they would start enforcing the 18-year rule from next year.
At the start of the meeting, the minister had said that the new age should be 18. But many participants from different universities disagreed loudly. This caused some chaos, and the minister asked, “Are we together?” The answer was a resounding “No!”
Despite the noise, the minister continued to speak and explained why he thought 18 should be the age limit. It was only when Prof. Oloyede asked everyone to calm down that order was restored.
This annual policy meeting is important because it starts the admission process for universities in the country. More news will come later.