KEY POINTS
- The age limit does not apply to O-level exams like WAEC or NECO.
- Guidelines for gifted students below the age limit will be developed.
- A new curriculum will focus on skills and values.
The federal government has made known to the general populace of their plans to make available a guideline to address the age limit for university admission.
Government clarifies university age limit and exams policy
The government also clarified that the age limit does not apply to students participating in WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or other ordinary-level examinations.
During a keynote speech at the ministerial session of the 68th National Council on Education meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Education Minister Tahir Mamman emphasized the need for clarity on the policy.
The theme of the meeting was “Innovation, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship: Tools for Education and National Development in the 21st Century.” In July, Mamman said that starting in 2025, candidates under 18 would not be allowed to sit for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, a prerequisite for admission to higher institutions.
The announcement sparked intense debate among education stakeholders and parents.
Mamman noted that the ministry aims to establish guidelines for exceptionally intelligent students who do not meet the age requirement.
“There is a need to clarify the misconceptions surrounding the 18-year age limit for university admissions,” Mamman said. “The ministry is simply emphasizing the age requirement for entry into tertiary institutions as outlined in the National Policy on Education, the UBEC Act, and the Education (Minimum) Standards Act of 1993, not the age for participating in WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or any ordinary-level examinations.”
The ministry will work to develop guidelines for genuinely exceptionally intelligent learners, he added.
Education ministry rolls out new curriculum in October
Mamman also announced that a new curriculum for basic and senior secondary education would roll out in Nigeria this October.
The curriculum is designed to integrate knowledge, skills, and values, with an emphasis on equipping students for productive lives, Mamman said, expressing appreciation to the National Educational Research and Development Council for developing the curriculum based on the national skills framework.
In addition, Minister of State for Education Yusuf Sununu Tanko stressed the importance of nurturing the creative and innovative abilities of young Nigerians. He encouraged efforts to help students transform their ideas into income-generating ventures and job creation, Punch reported.
“Our approach must address existing challenges while considering the diverse interests within our nation,” Tanko said, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield meaningful recommendations for the education sector.
The outcomes of the session will be compiled into a communiqué after the meeting.
