The Federal Government has clarified that there is no age restriction for sitting for the National Examination Council and West African Examination Council examinations.
Contrary to recent reports suggesting a minimum age of 18 years, the government explained that it only restricted the age for sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and entry into the university to 18 years beginning from 2025.
Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu, made the clarification in Abuja on Friday while briefing journalists on activities to herald the 2024 World Literacy Day.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), recently announced the Federal Government’s decision to ban students who are under 18 years from sitting for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate examination and the National Examinations Council.
Both examinations are crucial for admission into tertiary institutions in the country. The Federal Government, according to Mamman, has instructed WAEC and NECO to enforce the directive that has stirred outrage across the country.
Mamman had earlier stated that the age limit for any candidate intending to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board remained 18 years.
The Minister of Education has significant authority over the admission policies for tertiary institutions. This is not the first time a Minister of Education has fettered his discretion on education policy matters.
In 2018, a controversial admission policy was put forth, which mandated that all universities adhere to a specific cut-off mark for admissions.
“While the policy may have some benefits, its negative implications could outweigh these advantages, particularly given Nigeria’s diverse educational landscape and socio-economic challenges.”
This policy aimed to standardize admissions across the country but raised concerns about the flexibility and discretion of individual universities.
When the 2018 admission policy was announced, there was significant backlash from various stakeholders, including educators and students, who argued that the policy did not take into account the diversity of educational backgrounds and abilities across different regions.
Critics claimed that this rigid approach could lead to a situation where deserving candidates were denied admission solely based on a standardized score, thus fettering the discretion of universities to make holistic admissions decisions.
The Minister of Education’s policy enforcing an 18-year minimum age for university entry may have several negative and positive implications.
On the negative side, students who complete secondary education earlier than 18 may face delays in furthering their education, which can extend their time before entering the workforce.
Schools may also feel pressured to adjust their curricula and teaching methods to ensure that students meet the age requirement, potentially compromising the quality of secondary education.
This policy could unduly affect students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to educational resources or support, thereby widening the educational gap.
Talented students who are academically ready for university may also be hindered by age restrictions, thereby leading to frustration and disengagement from the education system.
Students who are unable to transition to university due to age may equally lose motivation and drop out of the educational system entirely.
The policy may not take into account cultural differences in education paths, particularly in rural areas where students may mature and complete their education at different rates.
Restricting entry by age may hinder Nigeria’s ability to compete internationally, as other countries often have more flexible entry requirements based on academic readiness rather than age.
Implementing and monitoring adherence to an age policy may require significant administrative resources, diverting attention from other critical educational issues.
Some students may be academically prepared for university before turning 18. This policy could prevent them from pursuing higher education in a timely manner.
Students who are ready to enter university but are held back by age restrictions may face delays in their careers, impacting their long-term economic prospects.
The policy may disproportionately affect students from different socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing education.
The policy may not account for regional differences in educational attainment and maturity, potentially disadvantaging students in less developed areas
On the positive side, establishing a uniform entry age could help standardize the education system and create a more predictable academic environment.
An 18-year entry age may ensure that students are more emotionally and socially mature, potentially leading to better academic performance and campus experiences.
Many countries have similar age requirements for university entry, which may help align Nigeria with international standards.
The Minister of Education should first create a conducive system in place, before attempting to implement the policy on 18 years old.
Hopefully, with the local government autonomy coming soon, the minister can work with the incoming local government chairmen to harmonise the policy.
Overall, while the intention behind the policy may be to standardize educational pathways, the implications could hinder access to higher education for many deserving students.
While the policy may have some benefits, its negative implications could outweigh these advantages, particularly given Nigeria’s diverse educational landscape and socio-economic challenges.
A more flexible approach that considers both age and academic readiness might be more appropriate for fostering access to higher education in the country. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the policy would depend on its implementation and the context within which it operates.
While guidelines and policies are important for ensuring consistency and fairness, public officers must still retain the ability to exercise discretion in order to make fair and just decisions. Fettering discretion can lead to outcomes that are not in the best interest of justice or the public good.
The appropriateness of the Nigerian Minister of Education’s policy on an 18-year minimum age for university entry can be re-evaluated and not carried out in a hurry. A future date for the commencement of the programme should be agreed by all the stakeholders and relevant structures should first be put in place.
