The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed on Monday that the Federal Government is contemplating setting 18 years as the minimum age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions.
Mamman emphasized the challenges posed by underage students in higher education institutions while monitoring the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Abuja.
He cautioned parents against pressuring their children to enter university at a young age, stating, "Some of them are too young to understand what a university education is all about." Mamman praised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for its use of technology, which has reduced exam malpractice significantly.
Regarding the high number of candidates seeking admission into limited slots, Mamman stressed the importance of skills acquisition for youths.
He emphasized the need for students to acquire skills at every level of education to ensure they can lead meaningful lives even without tertiary education.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, commended JAMB for its high standards and objectivity in conducting the UTME, noting that the exam has even been extended to Saudi Arabia due to its reliability.
The current admission age set by most tertiary institutions is 16 years, with plans in 2021 to amend the law to ensure candidates are at least 16 years old to sit for the UTME.
