Lagos State Government has thrown its weight behind the proposal to increase the minimum age requirement for university admission in Nigeria to 18 years, describing the proposal as well-informed, even as it noted that physical and mental maturity was needed at higher education levels.

It be recalled that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, a few days ago, hinted that the Federal Government would review age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions in the country, urging parents not to push their underage wards below the age of 18 to higher education, especially university education.

Mamman made the pronouncement after monitoring the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in some of the centres in Abuja, expressing discomfort with the ages of some candidates that applied to write the examination, which he noted were still far below the required age to seek admission into universities.

The State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, gave this backing during a ministerial press briefing to mark the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, which took place at Alausa, Ikeja.

Sule, who expressed the readiness of the state government to implement the policy, explained that graduates of universities were expected to be fit for societal challenges after graduation, stressing that there was an automated system in place in the state to make the implementation work seamlessly.

“The decision to increase it to 18 is well informed one going by what is happening in our campuses. Some of our children get negative intervention because of their ages. They are not physically prepared for university education. You have to prepare mentally.

“You see parents will be carrying their children from one class to another, this comes with naivety. They can be tricked and they can be lied to. The idea is good for the students, for the parents and for the society,” the commissioner said.

Speaking further, the Commissioner cited a scenario where a fresh graduate got a job and squandered the first salary he received at eatery with his friends, saying that this happened because he didn’t know the value.

On Special Scholarship for People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) and the multi-dimensionally Poor and Vulnerable, Sule expressed delight in unveiling the programme, disclosing that the state government had allocated budgetary provisions in the 2024 Budget to fulfill this mandate.

The commissioner stated that the initiative was designed to support people living with disabilities and the multi-dimensionally poor, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations and contribute meaningfully to society, pointing out that the Special Scholarship for Inclusion extends beyond Lagos State indigenes.

According to him, the programme encompasses all residents enrolled in Lagos State-owned Tertiary Institutions, irrespective of their state of origin, saying that this underscores the state government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all residents of Lagos State.

“In alignment with the THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development, | am proud to unveil the introduction of a Special Scholarship for Inclusion. This initiative is designed to support people living with disabilities and the multi-dimensionally poor, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations and contribute meaningfully to society.

“It is crucial to note that the Special Scholarship for Inclusion extends beyond Lagos State indigenes. It encompasses all residents enrolled in Lagos State-owned Tertiary Institutions, irrespective of their state of origin. This underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all residents of Lagos State,” he said.

“As per the People with Disability Law of Lagos State, which promises free education for all PWDs, | am pleased to announce that the Lagos State Government has allocated budgetary provisions in the 2024 Budget to fulfill this mandate via the introduction of the Special Scholarship for PWDs.

“We are committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities or socio-economic background, have access to quality education,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)

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