Dr. Tunji Alausa, the new Minister of Education, has removed the 18-year minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions nationwide. He also suggested a potential review of the country’s educational policies. However, the minister emphasized that the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from some “fake” universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic will not be reversed.
Alausa made these remarks during his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja, which is still in progress. He highlighted that practical education is essential for addressing Nigeria’s unemployment challenges, stressing that it is not sustainable for tertiary institutions to produce graduates annually without creating job opportunities for them.
He noted that the government will partner with private sector stakeholders to train students and unlock their capabilities. Additionally, Alausa said that universities specializing in agriculture will be supported to adopt commercial farming techniques as a means to tackle food insecurity in the country.
