Amidst speculation regarding a potential increase in the minimum age requirement for university admission, the Nigerian Senate has clarified that the current minimum age of 16 years will remain unchanged. The red chamber emphasized that recent statements suggesting a possible adjustment to the age limit were merely individual viewpoints and not reflective of any legislative decision.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, addressed journalists yesterday to provide clarification on the matter. He reiterated that any modifications to the age requirement for university admission would necessitate proper legislative procedures, including public consultations and stakeholder engagement.
The controversy arose last week when Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, mentioned the government’s consideration of raising the minimum age for university entry to 18 years old. However, Sen. Adaramodu clarified that such comments do not carry the weight of law and are merely opinions expressed by individuals.
He stated, “Comment on the minimum age requirement for admission is not a law. So it is just an opinion. It’s not a law. By the time the Senate resumes, whoever wants to bring that one out to make it a law, will now bring it and then the procedures will take place.”
Adaramodu further explained the legislative process, emphasizing that any proposed changes would undergo thorough scrutiny and public debate. He assured that stakeholders from various sectors, including parents, teachers, legislators, civil society organizations, and foreign entities, would be involved in discussions during public hearings.
“We will sit down and we talk. Even if they say that the minimum age should be 30 or 12 we will all discuss it at an open forum. So it’s still a comment which cannot be taken to be the law,” he added.
The Senate’s affirmation of the current minimum age requirement for university admission provides clarity and reassurance to students and parents across the country. As discussions continue, stakeholders await further developments regarding any potential legislative action on this matter.
