The Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has praised the Federal Government for simplifying its policy regarding the ban on underage students gaining admission into tertiary education institutions.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, NAPTAN’s Deputy Chairman, Mr. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, commended the government for providing clarity, which he said has dispelled misconceptions and calmed public concerns.
Ogunbanjo accepted the clarification by the Ministry of Education, which stated that students under 18 years old are still allowed to sit for exams like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
However, the government insisted that students below 18 are restricted from seeking admission into higher institutions.
Ogunbanjo also urged the government to consider lowering the minimum admission age to 16 years, particularly for gifted students, to allow them to progress more quickly.
He argued that the current global trends support allowing talented students to move faster academically.
This request follows the directive from the Minister of Education, Mr. Tahir Mamman, who announced during the 2024 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that the minimum age for tertiary admission would be set at 18 years.
