Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed on Monday that the Federal Government is contemplating setting 18 as the minimum age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions. He attributed some challenges in higher education to underage students. Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, welcomed the proposal, citing historical age standards in education. Currently, most institutions admit students at 16, with exceptions for gifted candidates.

In 2021, the Senate proposed amending JAMB laws to enforce a 16-year age limit for UTME candidates, aiming to curb underage participation. While monitoring the UTME, Mamman cautioned against overpushing young students and commended JAMB for seamless exam processes, enabled by technology.

Mamman emphasized the importance of skills acquisition for students not proceeding to tertiary education, aiming to empower them for meaningful lives. Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, praised JAMB’s standards, noting that UTME now extends to Saudi Arabia due to its objectivity and reliability.

The ongoing reforms aim to address age-related issues in education and enhance exam integrity, reflecting a broader focus on skill development and accessible education.