Earlier this year, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahiru Mamman on Monday, April 22, 2024, stirred the hornet’s nest. He announced to Nigerians that the government intends to shift the university admission age limit from 16 to 18 years. He said this after monitoring the just concluded University Tertiary Matriculation Examination Examination (UTME). He argued that the 18 year benchmark is not far fetched as it is in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system. He also added that the proposed change aims to align educational standards with global practices and ensure that students are mature enough for tertiary education.
Recall that this education system explains that a child uses the first 6 years in primary schools learning basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as knowledge in various subjects to ensure holistic development. It caters for age 6 to 12. After this, the child then uses the next three years in junior secondary school to build on the foundation laid in primary school. This level provides students with a broad-based education and prepare them for either senior secondary education or vocational training. The next three years is spent in the senior secondary school focusing on and preparing students for tertiary education or vocational careers. This stage is critical for shaping their future career paths or preparing for university entrance examinations such as WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and POST JAMB.
Going by this analogy, the 18 years admission benchmark for university admission is achievable. However, this was not accepted by parents, students, and some other stakeholders. The National Parents, Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), not only rejected the age limit, it said the decision would create confusion in the system. The deputy president of NAPTAN, Adeola Ogunbanjo said it should be left at 16 and that the government should not put age limit, especially because of talented children who have passed their WAEC and JAMB before the Ave of 18. The Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) asked what would happen to millions of students, 15 and 16 years who would write the May/June West African Senior School Certificate (Examination), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the 1.9million candidates currently writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
However, the real question is that is the 18 years admission benchmark a great proposal? Considering various factors. I believe that many University students now adays get admission before the age of 18, which for me is a good thing. Why? Consider some external factors, the 4 year slated for a university degree is not often achievable. For instance, there is no guarantee that a child will spend exactly four years in university. Some will go for a degree programme that is more than 4 years and the tendency of being delayed by strike actions, and other external factors cannot be overruled.
ASUU has embarked on numerous strikes since its formation in 1978. These strikes are primarily a response to the government’s failure to honour agreements on improving university infrastructure, funding, and staff welfare. While speaking to Olatunji Boluwatife, a graduate of English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University, she said every Nigerian student has it at the back of their mind that the “4 years” benchmark is not achievable . She added that during orientation phase while in 100l, one of the lecturers in school during a speech said “if you are here for a 4 year course, then it is 4+X and the X is depends on a lot of factors”.
Students who would ordinarily complete a four-year degree in four years may find themselves spending six years or more due to these disruptions. This delay affects their career plans, financial stability, and personal growth. Raising the admission age may compound these issues, as students might spend even longer in the education system if strike actions continue unabated. The government must consider the implications of combining the new age limit with the ongoing disruptions caused by strikes.
Tracing it back to the root, must a child start school at the age of 6? Considering the fact that when all the years spent from primary to tertiary institution is added up, then a child graduates at 22 or 23 but if their education is delayed by strikes, they could be 24 or 25 upon graduation. By the time he finishes his one year compulsory NYSC programme, then he’ll be around 26. We might think age 26 is not so bad. But what about the labour market? You’ll see job adverts with specific age range mostly making graduates above 27 years old ineligible. Then does that mean that after graduation, one only has three years to seek for employment? What happens if one isn’t able to get a job by then? Many employers in Nigeria impose age limits for job applicants, often preferring candidates under 30. This practice disadvantages older graduates who may have experienced delays in their education due to strike actions or other factors.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s unemployment rate was approximately 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020. And in 2023, the labour force revealed that unemployment rate surged to 5.0 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 from 4.2 per cent in the previous quarter. So what is your opinion?
