In a landmark decision, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the federal government’s reversion to a 16-year minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions. This announcement was made during the inaugural press briefing on Tuesday at the Federal Ministry of Education Headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa explained that the original 18-year age limit stemmed from interpretations within the National Policy on Education. He emphasized, “We will not proceed with the 18-year admission benchmark,” confirming that 16 years will now be the minimum age for entering tertiary institutions. He added that there would be provisions for gifted students who may be ready for higher education sooner.
Further emphasizing his vision, Dr. Alausa outlined his administration’s focus on implementing existing education policies rather than introducing new ones. He pledged to improve quality, equity, and human capital development, especially through the education of women and girls, viewing it as a powerful means to break cycles of poverty. Dr. Alausa also commended his predecessors for their foundational work, promising to prioritize action and execution to enhance the impact of ongoing policies.
In line with this vision, Dr. Alausa announced plans to reshape the education system, emphasizing technical and vocational training to empower young men and women to be self-sufficient and valuable contributors to the nation. He mentioned a focus on 80% practical training and 20% theoretical instruction in federal technical and national entrepreneurship institutions, focusing on preparing students with skills relevant to the job market. He underscored the importance of private-sector collaboration in achieving this goal, with a special focus on enabling mechanized farming at universities of agriculture to help address food insecurity. Also new trade and entrepreneurship will be added to our TVET curriculum which will include Renewable (Solar) and Compressed Natural Gas ( CNG) to provide our teeming young citizens with a path of being technicians and entrepreneurs in these areas of future significant economic activities.
Dr. Alausa also reiterated the government’s stance on safeguarding academic integrity by withholding recognition of certificates from certain institutions in the Benin Republic and Togo. This measure, he explained, is intended to curb fraudulent academic qualifications within Nigeria’s education system.
Additionally, addressing the critical issue of out-of-school children, Dr. Alausa revealed plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to introduce conditional cash transfers, incentivizing parents and guardians to enroll their children in school. He noted that this initiative would be accompanied by nutritional support programs aimed at improving students’ health and learning outcomes, furthering human capital development nationwide.
During the briefing, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, emphasized the importance of teamwork and the invaluable expertise of her colleagues. She commended the significant strides made in recent years toward societal development and educational objectives, noting a noticeable improvement in productivity and a more positive workplace culture.
Dr. Ahmad also addressed key challenges within the educational sector, such as harassment and the need to uphold integrity. She expressed optimism for the future, praising the strong foundation already in place and the mutual respect and collaboration essential for addressing ongoing challenges. Dr. Ahmad reaffirmed her commitment to building a supportive, rights-focused educational environment, dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of education delivery.
The two Ministers were warmly welcomed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nazir Sani-Gwazo, who assured them of the Ministry staff’s unwavering dedication to achieving their shared goals. This inaugural briefing signaled the start of a transformative period for Nigeria’s education sector, with a renewed focus on inclusivity, practical skill development, and economic alignment—all aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of a strengthened and forward-thinking education system.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press & PR
