By Chidimma C. Okeke
Thu, 20 Feb 2025, 7:29:03 WAT
The debate over the appropriate age for entering tertiary education in Nigeria continues to spark mixed reactions. While the National Policy on Education stipulates 18 years, many argue that 16 years is more suitable, especially given the increasing number of young students completing secondary school early.
The controversy gained momentum when former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, raised concerns after discovering that students under 16 were taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He stressed the importance of maintaining the 18-year entry age, citing maturity as essential for managing university life. However, this stance faced backlash from parents and stakeholders who felt that academically ready students should not be delayed due to age.
Current Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, later reversed the decision, supporting 16 years as the minimum entry age. He proposed incorporating this into the National Policy on Education, emphasizing that delaying talented students could hinder their development and increase the risk of mental health challenges. Following a National Council on Education meeting, the council approved 16 years as the official minimum entry age.
Rising Number of Underage Learners in SS3
Nigeria’s 9-3-4 education system—nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary school, and four years of tertiary education—suggests that students should typically be 17 in SS3 and 18 when entering university. However, recent data from the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) reveals that 45,354 SS3 students across 30 states are below 15 years, meaning they are between 13 and 14 years old. These students will take the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and UTME between ages 14 and 15.
Rivers State recorded the highest number of under-15 SS3 learners (14,168), followed by Bauchi (6,252), Kaduna (3,806), and Lagos (3,372). Other states include Cross River (2,422), Kwara (2,119), Kogi (1,985), Ekiti (1,782), Nasarawa (1,775), Sokoto (1,706), and Anambra (1,476). Conversely, 11 states, including Abia, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau, reported zero under-15 learners. Six states and the FCT had no available data.
Additionally, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that over 11,000 underage candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, attributing the trend to parental pressure and other factors.
Diverse Reactions from Parents and Educators
Opinions remain divided on the ideal university entry age. Mr. Timothy Abah, a parent, acknowledged that while 18 years is preferable, factors such as strikes and insecurity often prolong students’ academic journeys, pushing graduation beyond 22 years. With industries capping employment age at 25, starting university at 16 seems practical.
Another parent, Mrs. Eucharia Azubuike, maintained that 18 is ideal, as younger students may lack the emotional maturity needed to navigate university life, even if they excel academically. She blamed the prevalence of underage learners on parents and school owners who enroll children in school too early.
Educationist Michael Sule supported the 16-year threshold, noting that some children demonstrate exceptional intelligence and should not be held back solely because of their age. However, he emphasized that students who fail entry exams should be required to wait and reattempt them.
Concerns from Child Development Advocates
A Mother’s Love Initiative (AMLI), a Nigerian NGO focused on child development, expressed concerns over the revised entry age. In a letter to the federal government, AMLI’s CEO, Hanatu A. Enwemadu, stressed the importance of aligning education with the child’s maturity level, questioning the long-term impact of the policy on students studying abroad and its compatibility with global standards. The NGO urged the government to commission research on early university admissions, assess the performance of gifted children, and evaluate the relationship between age and academic success.
Special Consideration for Gifted Children
To address the needs of exceptionally gifted students, Minister Alausa announced that JAMB will conduct a placement test to objectively identify those capable of entering university before 16. This approach aims to support gifted learners while preventing abuse of the system. Only students who pass the test will be permitted to enroll before the official entry age.
Conclusion
As Nigeria adjusts its tertiary education entry age to 16, the focus now shifts to ensuring that younger students are academically and emotionally prepared for university life. The newly introduced placement test for gifted children seeks to strike a balance between nurturing talent and maintaining educational standards, ensuring that age no longer becomes a barrier to academic advancement.
