Latest news with #TunjiAlausa
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.
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Goment deny scrapping of JSS and SSS – but wetin be 12-year basic education dem dey propose?
Nigeria goment say no be true say dem wan scrap di Junior Secondary School (JSS) and di Senior Secondary School (SSS). Dis dey come afta Nigeria goment through di Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa bin propose twelve years of basic education on Thursday for di Extraordinary National Council of Education (NCE) meeting for Abuja, Nigeria capital. For statement wey di tok-tok pesin for di Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo bring out on Friday, di ministry tok say dem just present di proposal for discussion, no be say e go happun sharp-sharp. Di ministry describe di tori say Nigeria goment don scrap JSS and SSS as misleading. "Tori wey suggest say di Federal Goment don scrap Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) and replace dem wit a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model no be true. We wish to categorically tok say dis no be true," Di statement add say "Di proposal dey seek to move to 12 years of compulsory education but we go still keep di current 6-3-3 structure," According to di tok-tok pesin for di ministry, di aim of di proposal na to remove di barriers wey dey between JSS and SSS. Dem tok say e go allow "a smooth transition of students witout di challenge of any external assessment at any stage. Howeva, e still be subject of consultation and deliberation". Di ministry say dem go still do tok-tok wit stakeholders bifor dem go make final decision on di proposal. "Di final decision on weda to adopt dis reform or not go happun for October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting." di statement conclude. For August 2024, di former Minister of Education for Nigeria Tahir Mamman bin bring a similar policy. Im bin announce say dem no go allow underage candidates write di Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE). E bin mean say if any pikin age no reach di approved age limit dem no go qualify to write di West African Examinations Council (Waec) and di National Examinations Council (Neco). Dis two regional and national exams na one of di basic requirements students need to enta higher institutions. Dem must present results and certificates to show say dem graduate true-true from secondary school. Im bin also add say di age limit for any candidate to write di Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) wey di Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (Jamb) dey organise na still 18 years. "Na 18 years. Wetin we do for di meeting wey we bin get wit Jamb na to allow dis year and for am to serve as a kind of notice for parents say dis year, Jamb go admit students wey dey below di age but from next year, Jamb go insist say anybodi wey dey apply to go university for Nigeria go meet di required age wey be 18." But dis policy no even start to work before dem comot am from office. Howeva, some education experts say na beta policy e be to allow di children mature, even though parents bin no agree wit di policy. Experts tok say di 9-3-4 system of education dey good to prepare students ahead of tertiary institution. Nigeria goment still get time till October to do dia tok-tok and explain wetin di 12 years of uninterrupted basic educational system really mean. Dis becos in reality even di Junior Secondary School Examination wey di West Africa Examination Council dey organise no dey strong like bifor.
