FG reverses 18 years age limit for tertiary school admissions

Tunji Alausa has reversed the 18 years limit on tertiary school admissions.

The newly appointed minister of education addressed journalists on the contentious policy after resuming office on Tuesday.

Tahir Mamman, his predecessor who was removed in a major shakeup that reassigned ministerial portfolios, had set 18 as the minimum age for tertiary school admissions.

The policy, introduced in July, was still undergoing modifications to take effect in 2025.

It was to address concerns that many admission-seeking secondary school graduates do not seem mature enough to deal with the rigours of tertiary school.

The age policy has been hotly debated, with stakeholders concerned that exceptional students could be unduly shut out of tertiary schools.

A component of the policy had it that candidates who do not spend the required years in primary and secondary school would not be allowed to write the O’level exams.

Alausa said an admission age of 18 years is not sustainable for the education sector.

The minister said a limit of 16 years would be maintained while the cap would be waived altogether for students who prove to be exceptionally intelligent.

He said a cap of 18 years works against the federal government’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.

Tunji Alausa is among the 10 ministers who got new portfolios after President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle in October.

He was formerly the minister of state for health.