Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman has expressed concern over the high number of underage students entering universities. He announced plans to review and set the minimum entry age to 18 years.
Speaking during a monitoring visit to the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abuja, Prof. Mamman stated, “We’ve noticed that some applicants are extremely young. We intend to address this because they may not fully comprehend the demands of university education.”
“At this stage, students transition from a controlled environment to one where they manage their own affairs. Too young students may struggle to cope, contributing to university challenges.”
“We’ll review this issue. The official entry age is 18, but we have students as young as 15 and 16 attempting the exam. This is not ideal. Parents should avoid pushing their children too hard.”
The minister urged parents to allow their children to develop a certain level of maturity before entering university, enabling them to better manage their own affairs.
Prof. Mamman commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the smooth examination process, highlighting the positive impact of technology in reducing exam malpractice.
“From screening to the exam itself, the process has been seamless. The environment is conducive for students. Technology has greatly simplified and improved our operations in the educational system.”
“Exam malpractice has significantly decreased, with only 100 cases out of 1.2 million. We attribute this to technology, which is a significant improvement.”
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, who also visited an exam center, expressed his satisfaction with the UTME being conducted in Saudi Arabia as a testament to JAMB’s high standards.
Dr. Sununu praised the process, saying, “The speed of the online exam is remarkable. Pages load instantly when candidates need them, reducing delays.”
“The exam’s quality is commendable. It’s unsurprising that JAMB has expanded its reach internationally. The absence of exam leaks demonstrates the reliability of online exams.” CONTINUE READING
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