As Nigerians and nongovernmental organizations react over the Federal Government’s decision on Nigerians qualified to write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, Nigeria Examination Council, NECO, and Joint Admission Matriculation Board’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, a Civil Society Organization, CSO, One Love Foundation, OLF, Saturday, declared that there is no need for Federal Government to politicize age limit for examinations and overheat the polity unnecessarily.
The President and Founder, OLF, Chief Patrick Eholor, stated this while speaking on the need for the Government to be more concerned about rescuing the educational system from outright collapse and not to come up with age limit issues that are trivial compared to the rot in the system.
According to Eholor Nigeria’s education system faces unprecedented challenges, which he called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman to focus on how the country’s education sector is given policies that promote equality and a sense of belonging to all Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds.
He said: “With recent policies exacerbating regional disparities and favouring political interests over students’ needs. At the forefront of these issues are the controversial age limit for university admission and the biased implementation of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off scores.
“Meet Chicago teenager, Dorothy Jean Tillman. Ms. Tillman has just become the youngest person in the world to obtain a PHD Doctorate at the age of 17.
“She took her first university course at the age of 10. At the age of 14, Dorothy Jean Tillman had obtained an Associate Diploma, a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree. Now, at the age of 17, she is Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman.
“The decision to impose an 18-year age limit for university admission is short-sighted and detrimental to the educational prospects of countless Nigerian youths.”
He also cautioned that “This move will effectively bar younger students who demonstrate academic readiness from pursuing higher education and contributing to the nation’s intellectual capital.”
He further stated that “Instead of enforcing arbitrary age restrictions, the government should prioritize investments in early childhood education and individualized learning strategies that cater to students’ unique needs and abilities.”
In his assertion he said, “Furthermore, the inequitable implementation of UTME cut-off scores across Nigeria’s regions raises concerns about fairness and inclusivity in the nation’s higher education system.
“It is unacceptable that students from the North can secure admission into universities with scores as low as 170, while their counterparts in the South are held to higher standards. This regional bias undermines the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity that should guide university admissions.”
He continued, “Rather than engaging in political games to curry favor with specific regions, Education Minister should prioritize equitable policies that foster academic excellence and equal opportunities for all Nigerian students.
“Moreover, President Tinubu must recognize that education should not be wielded as a political tool but valued as a cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment.
However, the OLF boss and social crusader counselled, “As concerned citizens, we must hold our leaders accountable and demand a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s education system.
“This entails abolishing the age limit for university admission, implementing a standardized and equitable UTME cut-off score, and investing in educational infrastructure and resources across all regions.
“Only by championing a fair and inclusive education system can Nigeria unlock its full potential and secure a brighter future for its youth.”
