*Calls Ex Minister Tahir an obstacle
By Felix Khanoba
The new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has overturned the policy requiring students to be 18 years old to gain entry into universities, a measure previously set by former Education Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, that sparked widespread debate.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, shortly after assuming office, Alausa described the policy as an obstacle to the federal government’s mission to lower the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He explained that the admission age limit would revert to 16 years, allowing exceptions for “gifted children.”
Alausa further announced that Nigeria’s educational approach would be adjusted to focus on 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical model.
He said that practical education would help address unemployment by preparing students with skills directly relevant to the job market.
Alausa said the Federal Government plans to collaborate with the private sector to train students and help them realise their potential.
He also noted that universities of agriculture will be supported to implement mechanised farming to improve food security.
“We will focus on technical and vocational education (TVET), using federal technical colleges and national entrepreneurship institutions to create practical opportunities for students.
“All specialised universities will be required to have mechanised farms, and we will provide financial incentives to support this,” he stated.
Addressing frequent strikes in tertiary institutions, Alausa assured unions of a ‘new beginning’, pledging a supportive environment to prevent prolonged school closures due to labor actions.
“This is a new beginning for ASUU, NASU, SSANU, ASUP, COEASU, and others,” he said,
He urged the unions to give the government a chance to meet its commitments under President Bola Tinubu.
Alausa also promised to modernise the education system to meet 21st-century demands, with a focus on STEM and medical sciences to bolster workforce development.
