Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s new policy setting the age limit for entry into tertiary institutions at 18. In an interview, Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman affirmed that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) administered by JAMB is firmly 18, and individuals under 18 are barred from participating in NECO and WAEC exams.
Atiku, speaking on his official Facebook page, denounced the policy as absurd and counterproductive to academic advancement. He described it as indicative of President Tinubu’s administration being directionless and criticized it for conflicting with federal responsibilities in Nigeria’s federal system.
“The policy contradicts the federal system’s delineation of responsibilities and reflects how the Tinubu administration appears to be lost. It is puzzling how such an anti-educational policy is considered a solution to our education sector’s challenges,” Atiku said.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s constitution places education on the concurrent list, granting sub-national governments more authority over educational matters than the federal government. Atiku argued that education regulations should be set by state governments rather than imposed federally.
He also criticized the government’s lack of provisions for gifted students, stating that the policy embarrasses Nigeria’s intellectual community by suggesting that the country does not value talented students. Atiku called for the federal government to focus on identifying and supporting gifted students through scholarships, regardless of their age. “This outdated policy should be condemned by all who support intellectual freedom and accessibility,” he concluded.
Atiku, speaking on his official Facebook page, denounced the policy as absurd and counterproductive to academic advancement. He described it as indicative of President Tinubu’s administration being directionless and criticized it for conflicting with federal responsibilities in Nigeria’s federal system.
“The policy contradicts the federal system’s delineation of responsibilities and reflects how the Tinubu administration appears to be lost. It is puzzling how such an anti-educational policy is considered a solution to our education sector’s challenges,” Atiku said.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s constitution places education on the concurrent list, granting sub-national governments more authority over educational matters than the federal government. Atiku argued that education regulations should be set by state governments rather than imposed federally.
He also criticized the government’s lack of provisions for gifted students, stating that the policy embarrasses Nigeria’s intellectual community by suggesting that the country does not value talented students. Atiku called for the federal government to focus on identifying and supporting gifted students through scholarships, regardless of their age. “This outdated policy should be condemned by all who support intellectual freedom and accessibility,” he concluded.
