Atiku Criticizes Tinubu Administration for Tertiary Education Age Limit Policy

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s recent directive that prohibits the admission of candidates under 18 years old into tertiary institutions.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Atiku compared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to a “sailor lost at sea,” expressing strong disapproval of the policy.

The controversy arose when the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, announced that only individuals aged 18 and above should be eligible for university admission. He explained that this age requirement aligns with the 6-3-3-4 educational system and is intended to ensure that students are mature enough to handle the transition from a structured environment to the more independent nature of university life.

Mamman noted, “We’ve observed students as young as 15 or 16 taking university entrance exams. Parents should be cautious about pushing their children too hard, as this pressure often leads to such situations. Younger students may struggle to cope with the responsibilities that come with university life, which might be contributing to some of the challenges we see in higher education today.”

Atiku, however, criticized this policy, describing it as an unreasonable barrier to education that undermines academic excellence. He argued that the policy contradicts the principles of federalism, where education falls under the concurrent list, giving state governments more authority in educational matters than the federal government.

Atiku stated, “This policy reflects a deep misunderstanding of the federal government’s role in education. Instead of imposing such restrictive regulations, the government should focus on identifying and supporting gifted students, regardless of their age, through scholarships and other educational opportunities.”

He also expressed concern that the government has no plans to accommodate exceptionally talented students, calling the policy a backward step that undermines intellectual freedom and accessibility.

Atiku concluded by urging all supporters of education and academic growth to reject the policy, labeling it as outdated and harmful to the country’s educational system.