Latest news with #Alausa
The South African
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Too young for uni? Nigeria sets 16 as new admission age
The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally set the minimum age requirement for university admission at 16 years old. Overall, the 2025 academic year will see the immediate implementation of this policy. In addition, the decision aims to align academic requirements with children's cognitive development. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa announced this in Abuja at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's (JAMB) 2025 policy meeting. Dr Alausa stated that all educational institutions cannot compromise on the minimum age of sixteen. Furthermore, he emphasised that the methodology balances academic preparedness with cognitive maturity. Any attempts to change age data should be avoided, according to the minister. Establishments found to be falsifying age data will face severe sanctions. It is against the law to make admissions outside of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Be that as it may, this strict enforcement aims to uphold the integrity of the admissions procedure. Nigeria set a minimum age of 18 for early 2024, and former Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman faced strong opposition to his previous strategy. As a result, teachers and parents expressed concern that it would unfairly exclude several deserving students. Dr Tunji Alausa removed the 18-year restriction following a government upheaval in October 2024. To create a more inclusive system, the minimum age is now 16. Hence, it helps children who are exceptionally intelligent for their age. The policy reinforces the government's commitment to high-quality education. Moreover, this change provides clarity for prospective college applicants nationwide. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Nigeria embraces AI in education to equip youth for global economy
RIYADH: Nigeria is integrating artificial intelligence into its education system as part of a broader strategy to train its vast youth population for the global tech economy, according to Minister of State for Education Maruf Tunji Alausa. Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Human Capability Initiative in Riyadh, Alausa said African nations must embrace AI in education while ensuring that students retain critical social skills. 'The basic outcome was that we don't have a choice now, AI has come to stay. We need to now use AI as part of our learning,' Alausa said. 'Countries need to infuse AI to help augment and improve education delivery.' However, he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, warning that it must not erode children's social skills. 'We have to be sure that it doesn't leave deficiencies in the skill set, in the social skills of our children,' he added. With over 60 percent of Africa's 1.2 billion people under 30 — and Nigeria's 220 million population being 70 percent youth — Alausa argued that the continent is uniquely positioned to supply skilled labor to aging economies like Europe, Japan, and the US. 'Today, Nigeria has 65 million people between 15 and 29, with 5 million entering the workforce yearly,' he said. 'We need to train this youthful population in tech skills — software development, cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing — so they can service companies worldwide while staying in Nigeria.' Nigeria has launched a digital training academy to upskill university graduates in high-demand tech fields, enabling them to earn online certifications and work remotely for international firms. Alausa urged other African nations to adopt similar models. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Alausa toured several academic institutions alongside Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan and praised the Kingdom's dual-track approach to higher education. 'Saudi Arabia has gotten it right,' he said. He also announced forthcoming collaborations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in education and skills development. 'As we learn from Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia can also learn from us,' Alausa added. Held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Human Capability Initiative convened more than 12,000 experts from over 100 countries to address the intersection of education, workforce transformation, and emerging technologies. This year's theme, 'Beyond Readiness,' focused on AI, inclusive development, and global equity in skills training. With Nigeria positioning itself as a hub for global tech talent, Alausa's vision aligns with HCI's goal of fostering cross-border partnerships to future-proof economies.
