In July 2024, the Ministry of Education announced a new policy that was met with outrage and public disapproval. This policy mandates that students must be 18 years old before they can enroll in any tertiary institution in Nigeria. While this may seem minor, it poses a significant risk to our nation’s progress. This education policy threatens to set us back several steps in innovation and advancement, with potentially devastating consequences for the literacy and economic growth of our country.
The Ministry of Education has justified this policy by stating that they are adhering to the National Education Policy, which outlines specific age requirements for tertiary education enrollment. However, this reasoning fails to account for the broader context and the evolving needs of our society. Policies are not static; they must be responsive to the realities on the ground and should serve the best interests of the people.
While the National Education Policy may recommend certain age thresholds, it is essential to recognise that these guidelines were created within a particular context and may not reflect the current educational landscape. In a country where over 20 million children are currently out of school, rigidly adhering to age-based criteria without considering the broader implications is not justifiable. The policy should be flexible enough to accommodate the diverse educational needs of our students, especially in a nation like Nigeria, where there are barriers to accessing quality education.
One of the most immediate concerns is the question of what happens to students who are now forced to stay at home for two years or more after completing their secondary education. This policy can lead to increased rates of crime and social unrest, as students who are unable to enroll in tertiary institutions due to the age barrier will be left idle. And as we all know the little story of the idle hands and devil’s workshop, this sense of no direction will create a ripple effect in our society.
Furthermore, this policy is likely to accelerate educational migration, which represents a significant loss to the country. Parents who have the financial capacity to enroll their children abroad for tertiary education will do so without batting an eyelid, which leaves us with the big gaping question, what is the fate of the child of the poor in Nigeria? This policy will widen the gap between the rich and the poor, create a barrier to higher education for the most vulnerable in our society, and widen the inequality gap.
We must consider the broader implications of this policy on Nigeria’s future. As we know, education is a key driver of economic growth. By delaying access to higher education, we are stifling the potential of our young people to contribute to the economy.
According to recent statistics, Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70 per cent of its population under the age of 30. Nigeria, in particular, stands out as the country in Africa with the largest population with a staggering 223 million people according to the World Bank. This demography shows the importance of creating policies that empower and educate our youth, rather than imposing barriers that hinder their progress.
The longer young people are kept out of the educational system, the more their skills and knowledge will dwindle, which will make it harder to adapt. This, in turn, will hinder our nation’s ability to innovate and compete on the global stage.
Moreover, age alone is not an adequate measure of a student’s readiness for university education. Many young people demonstrate academic maturity, critical thinking skills, and a level of preparedness that surpasses their age. By enforcing this age limit, we are effectively punishing students who are capable and ready to advance, simply because they do not meet the age requirement.
This approach not only stifles individual potential but also undermines our collective goal of achieving quality education for all, as outlined in the United Nations SDG 4 – Quality Education.
Right now, over 20 million children are currently out of school in Nigeria according to UNESCO. As a nation, our goal should be to ensure that SDG 4 — Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All — is achieved. We must refrain from making policies that will set us several steps backwards.
I implore the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, to reconsider this policy in light of the points highlighted. We cannot afford to widen the education and economic gap in this beloved nation. As leaders who sit in high places and make decisions that affect millions of lives, it is your responsibility to ensure that the policies you create do not harm the very people you are meant to serve. Let us remember the words of the old national anthem, which called on us to serve our fatherland with love and strength and faith.
2025 is not far away, and a policy that renders our students redundant does not fit in our society. We must act now to prevent further harm and ensure a brighter future for all Nigerians.
Lastly, education policies should be designed with the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the society. They should empower students, not limit them. The Ministry of Education has a responsibility to ensure that its policies are inclusive and equitable to the growth and development of all students, regardless of their age.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, education stakeholders, and my fellow Nigerians, it is time to reconsider this policy in light of its potential harm and ensure we build back our educational system in Nigeria.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Odebode, an education advocate and lawyer, writes from Harvard University, United States.
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