The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, under the Federal Government (FG), has officially reversed the previous administration’s policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old to gain admission into tertiary institutions.
According to the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), Alausa announced the decision during an inaugural press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja , where he emphasized that the new benchmark will be 16 years old, aligning with the National Policy on Education (NPE).
According to him, what led to the previous decision made was how the National Policy on Education was planned.
“We will not be progressing with the 18-years admission standard. We will go for 16 years and we are going to discuss it with the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and others,” the minister stated.
The minister also mentioned that gifted students will be exempted from this age requirement, allowing them to pursue higher education earlier.
Speaking on the withdrawal of certificates obtained from Benin Republic and Togo, Tunji Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the policy.
“The measure aims to eradicate counterfeit certificates from the education system, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of academic credentials.”
The minister identified the issue of out-of-school children as a top priority for the ministry, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this critical concern.
He said, “to tackle this challenge, the ministry will explore a range of solutions aimed at reducing the number of children who are currently not in school.”
He also emphasized on the nutritional programmes to be introduced in the system, to support students’ health, thereby enhancing human capital development.
He stated that the Ministry of Education is set to collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide conditional cash transfers, serving as incentives to boost school enrollment.
The Minister, along with the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, was officially welcomed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasiru Sani-Gwarzo.
According to recent data, approximately 7.3 million children of primary school age in Nigeria are out of school, with 50% of these children residing in the northern region, which has been severely impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
“The move is expected to have a positive impact on Nigeria’s education sector, which has faced challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and low literacy rates, particularly in the northern regions,” Daily Nigerian asserted.
Know about Tunji Alausa
Dr. Tunji Alausa is a renowned Nigerian medical doctor specializing in nephrology.
He is currently serving as the Minister of Education, a position he took over from Prof. Tahir Mamman in October 2024.
Previously, he held the role of Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023.
Early Life and Education of Tunji Alausa
Tunji Alausa graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1993.
He then pursued residency programs at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and the Royal Bolton Hospital and University of Newcastle.
Professional Experience of Tunji Alausa
As a seasoned medical professional, Dr. Alausa has worked as an assistant professor at Rush University Medical School and specialized in Nephrology and Hypertension at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
He’s also the Executive Chairman and Chief Medical Officer of Dialysis Care Center and Kidney Care Center.
Achievements and Recognition
Dr. Alausa has received notable awards, including the “America’s Best Physician” in 2007 and 2012.
His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping healthcare services in Nigeria.
Current Role as Minister of Education
As Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa aims to address key challenges in Nigeria’s education sector, including out-of-school children and improving access to quality education.
His experience and vision are expected to bring positive changes to Nigeria’s education landscape.
