The federal government has mandated that individuals under the age of 18 should not be admitted into tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, issued this directive on April 22 during a visit to monitor the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory. Mamman stated that the 18-year age requirement aligns with the 6-3-3-4 education system.

He expressed concern over the admission of 15 or 16-year-old students, attributing this trend to parental pressure. Mamman emphasized the need for parents to refrain from exerting excessive pressure on their children, as these young candidates may not fully grasp the implications of university education.