Federal Government Directs Tertiary Institutions Not To Admit Candidates Below 18 Years

Federal Government Directs Tertiary Institutions Not To Admit Candidates Below 18 Years

The Federal Government has issued a directive that prohibits the admission of candidates below 18 years into tertiary institutions. This announcement came from the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory…..READ ALSO Federal Government Distributes ₦50,000 Presidential Grant To 100,000 Businesses

Prof. Mamman expressed concern over the pressure exerted by some parents on their underage children to secure admission into tertiary institutions, highlighting that the minimum age of entry into universities is 18 years, aligning with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.

He emphasized that younger candidates might not fully comprehend the responsibilities and challenges of university education, especially as they transition from controlled to uncontrolled environments.

In addressing the issue, the Minister stressed the importance of skill acquisition for students who may not gain admission into tertiary institutions. He underscored the ministry’s efforts to introduce skill acquisition programs even at the primary school level to ensure that all students have meaningful alternatives after completing their primary and secondary education.

Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the spokesperson for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), affirmed the alignment of the 18-year benchmark with the 6-3-3-4 education system.

Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, commended the conduct of the 2024 UTME, particularly praising the introduction of online examinations as a measure to curb malpractices. He applauded the effectiveness of Computer Based Test (CBT) in minimizing examination malpractices and commended JAMB for maintaining high standards in the examination process.

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