The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, highlighted that some challenges in Nigerian universities stem from underage students unfamiliar with the demands of university education. He made these remarks after observing the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abuja.
According to Mamman, the examination has been largely successful with minimal malpractice cases, attributing this to the effective use of technology. However, he expressed concern over the age of university applicants, noting that some are too young to grasp the responsibilities and independence required at the university level.
Mamman emphasized the need for students to be at least 18 years old before gaining admission into Nigerian universities. He stressed that students aged 15 or 16 are too young and may struggle to adapt to the university's academic and social demands. The minister urged parents to refrain from pushing their children into university prematurely.
The minister's observations shed light on a critical issue affecting the quality of education in Nigerian universities. Addressing the age issue could potentially improve students' readiness and ability to thrive in the university environment.
