Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the Nigerian government’s new rule that bans students under 18 from getting into universities. He compared President Bola Tinubu’s administration to a “sailor lost at sea,” saying they are making decisions without clear direction.

Atiku expressed his disagreement on Facebook after the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, announced that students must be at least 18 years old to enter tertiary institutions. The government argues this rule fits with Nigeria’s education system and aims to prevent very young students, some as young as 15 or 16, from entering universities too early. Mamman said younger students might not be mature enough to handle the freedoms of university life, as they transition from a controlled to an independent environment.

However, Atiku sees this policy as a big mistake. He believes setting an age limit for university admission is unreasonable and discourages academic achievement. He argued that education is a shared responsibility between the federal and state governments, so the federal government shouldn’t make blanket rules for everyone.

Atiku also pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution allows both the federal and state governments to have a say in education, meaning states should have more control over setting their own rules. He criticized the government for not having a plan for exceptionally gifted students, saying this shows a lack of support for young talents in Nigeria.

Atiku argues that instead of blocking young minds from advancing, the government should focus on identifying and supporting gifted students, offering scholarships, and creating opportunities regardless of their age. He believes this age limit policy is outdated and calls on everyone who supports academic freedom to oppose it.

Source: Vanguard