The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, has overturned the controversial 18-year age requirement for university admission.
Upon taking office on Tuesday, Alausa stated that the policy was harmful and added that reversing it aims to decrease the number of children not attending school in Nigeria.
He said this policy is not viable for the educational sector, clarifying that the age limit of 16 years would remain, with exceptions for “gifted children.”
The new minister further explained that Nigeria’s education system will now consist of 80 per cent practical learning and 20 per cent theoretical instruction.
Alausa noted that practical education would help alleviate the unemployment crisis in Nigeria, as universities must stop producing graduates annually without providing job opportunities for Nigerians.
He said the government will collaborate with private sector stakeholders to train students and help them reach their full potential.