Why should my 15 year old be denied admission based on her age when it is not the government that will help pay her tuition fee? Is it even necessary to set admission age for students seeking admission into Nigerian Universities? What is the practice elsewhere? Here is a recap of hot debate that trailed the age limit for admission into Nigerian Universities.
Helen Essien, a social commentator, posted on CPE Network regarding how a varsity in Nigeria, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), rejected admission for an underage student, come and see responses:
Helen Essien:
What is the national policy on age for admission into Nigerian Universities?
Some will say “It’s a senseless policy, what’s age got to do with admission”? But the issue is, until a law or policy is repealed, shouldn’t we as parents be good examples to our children by simply obeying the extant law or policy?
At the end of the day, we are the models/examples our children look up to.
Philomena Iwelunmor:
Uniosun is in order. At U-16, the maturity of a child is questionable. At this stage most of them are still gullible and can be manipulated and bullied easily. Except children that grow up on the street, are the ones that will be able to pull Tru but how many of them will enter University at U-16. Please, let’s be patient with these children and stop pushing them hard. A fullfilled life is not how early but how well.
Seen Adetoyese:
A friend of mine graduated at the age of 19 years in one of the public University in Ondo state
Abdulwaheed Badmus:
My daughter got admission into UI at 15¹/2. Matriculated at 16 on the dot.
But denied to study Philosophy in Belgium a year later even with first year transcripts. She did not gain admission into any university in Europe until when she was 17yrs and 9 month.
Subsequently, all other children were admitted to secondary on the basis of age group placement.
Olukunle Babatunde:
Abdulwaheed Badmus same in UK.
I struggle to understand why parents rush kids through school in Nigeria.
No UK school will admit a child into secondary school until 11 years, if the child is certified a genius there’s a national programme to look after those.
Mary Fikayo:
All these policies are moving us backward. If any of these children go to another country and graduate at the age of 16years, we will celebrate him/her and the useless government will send congratulatory message to the child and many people here will turn the child to celebrity by using his/her image as their dp. What is the colour of our problems as a nation?
Infact, I can’t fathom how to cope with in this country.
Ojo Opeyemi:
Mr poster ,please don’t forget that this same government is also limiting age in the labour market. Strike is also a considering factor, while you are delaying your children in the name of age,there children are through outside the country and have been given employment. When a child finishes @age 26and government or employers are asking for people not above 25 years,now how do want those above that age to go about it. Please, the country itself is in a confused state.
Ojo Opeyemi:
Mr poster ,please don’t forget that this same government is also limiting age in the labour market. Strike is also a considering factor, while you are delaying your children in the name of age,there children are through outside the country and have been given employment. When a child finishes @age 26and government or employers are asking for people not above 25 years,now how do want those above that age to go about it. Please ,the country itself is in a confused state.
Senami Cadmus:
Ojo Opeyemi government is not limiting age for employment. It’s banks and some private organisations.
Peter Ekekwe:
As usual we chase shadows what’s age got to do with academic performance?
Helen Essien:
Peter Ekekwe Because it’s not only about academic performance, that’s why age has something to do with it, sir.
Dideolu Adekogbe:
Helen Essien Exactly!
People only see academic performance in school but beyond this is coping ability to stand for oneself and own ones life journey and decisions.
Peter Ekekwe:
Helen Essien so what is it about? Joshua Beckford graduated from Oxford at 14. Michael Kevin graduated at 10 and his sister graduated at 16.
These may be rare cases but fact is ,they could stand the rigours of University education. So if a child shows the capacity we shouldn’t stop such in the name of age.
Helen Essien:
Peter Ekekwe Thank you for answering your question. “Rare cases”🎯 certified by a constituted authority.
In Nigeria, we certify our children “rare cases” by ourselves. Mum and dad just wake up one morning and say to the child “We meuve”😀
Linda Magba:
Peter Ekekwe Age has a lot to do with learning. The brain develops as one grows same with learning and assimilation.
Dideolu Adekogbe
Why do we only see academic performance in school?.
What about coping ability to stand for oneself, own ones life’s journey and decisions.
University education is meant for young individuals who can visualise what’s best for them without being lured into evil.
Olufemi Ayaworan:
15-16 even 17 years old teenage, are they not too young to be on their own in school campuses, let’s leave the educational part nd think about the campus life nd how naive nd inexperienced these kids are.. at that age they need so much guidance from their parents… so, why the rush??
