The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has made it clear that the policy requiring students to be at least 16 years old before gaining admission into universities cannot stand.
Speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja yesterday, Dr. Alausa said: “I am sure many of you have heard about the challenges we face as a nation with talented, bright students being disenfranchised from pursuing tertiary education.
“In any society, it is crucial to standardise the education of highly functional and exceptionally gifted students.
“We are now preventing these students, after finishing secondary education at the age of 16, from attending university until they are 18. This delays their development and harms their futures.
“These students are capable and brave. If we leave them idle, we risk exacerbating mental health issues.
Dr. Alausa highlighted the government’s plan to convert federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges, emphasising the critical role of technical education in bridging the skills gap in Nigeria’s labour market.
“The provision of technical education allows a nation’s human and natural resources to be harnessed more effectively.
“Therefore, technical education contributes significantly to national development, driving cultural and industrial progress.”
Dr. Alausa suggested a transition to to what he called: “a 12-year basic education system in Nigeria,” which is a shift from the current 9-3-4 model to a 12-4 structure.
He stressed that there is the need for this reform to align Nigeria’s education system with global standards.
“It is important to acknowledge that while the 9-3-4 system of education has its merits, it also has drawbacks, such as the need for students to work in order to further their education.
“It is therefore prudent to transition from the 9-3-4 to the 12-4 system of education. By doing so, Nigeria will align with global standards in preparing students for better tertiary education.”
Dr. Alausa outlined the benefits of the proposed 12-year basic education system, emphasising its potential to provide a more structured and uninterrupted learning experience.
“A 12-year basic education model will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardisation and fostering quality assurance in the education system.
“It will also guarantee that students receive a more comprehensive and continuous learning experience, improve educational outcomes, and contribute to a more educated populace that drives Nigeria’s economic development.”
