The newly appointed Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has reversed the minimum admission age from 18 to 16 years, a policy previously set by his predecessor, Tahir Mamman.
Alausa announced the change on Tuesday during a briefing after officially taking office.
Alausa’s appointment followed a recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, who replaced Mamman and reassigned Yusuf Sununu, the former Minister of State for Education, to the Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction.
Background on the 18-Year Policy
Earlier in July, Mamman directed the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and Nigerian universities to only admit candidates aged 18 and above.
He stated that this directive was rooted in existing educational policies, asserting, “Our laws require students to be in school from six years…and continue through primary, basic, and secondary levels. This isn’t just a personal directive but a reflection of what’s in the law.”
Reversal of the Age Directive
Alausa, however, set the minimum admission age at 16, with exceptions for “gifted children.” He expressed concern that the 18-year requirement could hinder efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He also outlined plans to shift Nigeria’s education system toward more practical, skill-oriented learning, especially in tertiary institutions.
Emphasizing the role of practical education in tackling Nigeria’s unemployment issues, he said the government aims to partner with private sector entities to better prepare students for the workforce and unlock their potential.
