N’Delta activist opposes minister’s reversal of 18-year admission age limit

Human rights activist, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho

A Warri-based child rights advocate, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has opposed an announcement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, abolishing the 18-year minimum age requirement for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

In a signed statement released to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, Aghogho expressed concern, stating that “The Minister’s announcement may inadvertently conflict with existing child protection laws.”

Alausa, speaking at his inaugural press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, announced the reversal of the previous education minister’s decision on the 18-year admission benchmark.

Explaining the change, Alausa stated, “We will not proceed with the 18-year admission benchmark. We will set it at 16 years and will consult with JAMB and others on this. There will also be exceptions for gifted students. Eighteen years is no longer part of our policy.”

However, the Delta activist argued, “Policy reforms should prioritise adherence to established legal frameworks,” pointing out that “Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003 defines a child as anyone under 18 years old.”

Aghogho further contended that “The 6-3-3-4 education system, which includes six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of tertiary education, supports the 18-year benchmark. This structure ensures that students complete secondary education before entering university.”

He added, “The Minister’s announcement may inadvertently conflict with existing child protection laws, and clarification is necessary to avoid ambiguity in defining a child’s age range. It is crucial to clarify the definition of a ‘child’ or ‘ward’ as stipulated in Section 15(1) of the Compulsory Free, Universal Basic Education Act 2004.”

According to Aghogho, the Act defines a ‘child or ward’ as a person between 6 and 16 years old, regardless of disability. Primary school age is defined as between 6 and 12 years, and junior secondary as a three-year post-primary course for pupils between 12 and 15 years. This legislation establishes that a child’s age range for basic education is between 6 and 16 years.

“The Minister’s announcement should not be misconstrued to imply that individuals below 18 years are not considered children. Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003 defines a child as anyone under 18. In light of this, I urge stakeholders to consider the legal framework governing child education and protection.”

Aghogho also noted that the Federal Government previously mandated that tertiary admissions should not be given to candidates younger than 18, with the former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, asserting that the 18-year benchmark protects children from entering university too early.

He added that the high rate of out-of-school children necessitates strict adherence to legal frameworks to ensure the welfare of Nigerian children.

“The current situation in Nigeria is dire, with millions of children out of school and vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Policies must prioritise adherence to established legal frameworks to safeguard Nigerian children. Additionally, policy reforms should prioritise adherence to established legal frameworks.”

He concluded by urging that upholding the provisions of the Compulsory Free, Universal Basic Education Act 2004 will ensure adequate protection and education for Nigerian children. “By prioritising adherence to established laws and policies, we can ensure that Nigerian children receive the protection and education they deserve,” he said.