Senate backs education minister on 18-year entry age into varsities

Senate backs education minister on 18-year entry age into varsities

Members of Nigeria’s Senate endorsed the federal government’s decision to raise the minimum admission age to 18 years old.

Recall that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said on Monday that the entry age for higher institutions was 18 years old and cautioned parents not to force their children who are not yet of age to enroll.

The support was made public on Tuesday in Abuja when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Sen Muntari Dandutse, led other members of the committee as well as his House of Representatives counterpart to witness the ongoing UTME.

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Speaking with journalists after the exercise , the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District and member of committee, Sen Sunday Karimi, said the Senate has nothing against the proposal by the Minister of Education.

He noted that by restricting admission to students at least 12 years old before secondary school, the government aims to ensure that students possess the cognitive and emotional readiness necessary to navigate the challenges of secondary education effectively.

“By the time a student who entered into secondary school at the age of 12 years completes his secondary school programme, he is already at the age of 18 as stipulated,” he added.

Karimi also stated the law was already on the ground, adding that if that was needed for any amendment to make it stronger, the Senate will be ready to do that.

He commended JAMB for providing an enabling atmosphere for candidates to have a seamless exercise.

Senate backs education minister on 18-year entry age into varsities