In a major shift, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, has overturned a controversial policy that required students to be at least 18 years old to gain university admission. The policy, previously implemented by former Minister Professor Tahir Mamman, had stirred public debate. During his first press briefing since taking office on Tuesday, Alausa argued that the policy hindered efforts to reduce the country’s significant out-of-school population. He emphasized that keeping the entry age at 16 would better serve students and families, with special allowances for “gifted children” to enroll earlier.
Beyond this policy reversal, Alausa unveiled a new vision for the education system, aiming to make it 80 percent practical and 20 percent theoretical. This approach, he explained, is essential for addressing Nigeria’s high unemployment rates by aligning education more closely with market needs. Alausa stated that students would engage in practical training to “unleash their potential” with partnerships from private sector organizations supporting this skills-focused model.
Alausa, formerly the Minister of State for Health, took up the education role following a cabinet reshuffle last month, marking his transition to this key ministry as one of 10 reassignments within the federal government’s leadership team.
