Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has announced that the institution will continue to accept students under the age of 18.

During a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, he expressed his disapproval of the federal government's recent decision to prohibit the admission of students who have not yet reached this age.

Babalola described the policy as unacceptable and regressive, arguing that it would prevent talented and capable young individuals from pursuing their educational aspirations early in life.

He emphasized that universities should have the autonomy to make admissions decisions based on their discretion, similar to practices in Western countries, rather than being constrained by government mandates.

Babalola further asserted that age should not be a barrier to national progress and urged the government to avoid implementing policies that hinder the development of young citizens who could address the numerous challenges facing the country.

He expressed concern that Nigeria is falling behind other nations known for nurturing young achievers, attributing this setback to inconsistent and backward policies.

His stated, “You don’t just go out as a minister of education to direct universities against the university’s autonomy as to who to admit or who not to admit. It is the duty of the university to decide to exercise their discretion, and you can’t take that discretion from them.

“To me, the issue of age is a matter of discretion for the university, and let me say that we have been doing it here. We have students who came to ABUAD at 15 and graduated with First Class at the age of 19, and we will continue to do it.

“Having a minimum age of admission into the tertiary institution rule that allows for no exception is a problematic position that will in the long run affect the dreams of the younger generations.

“Elaine Aaron, the American psychologist and the author of the international best-seller ‘Highly Sensitive Person’, said, “What could we need more right now than people who think carefully, feel deeply, notice the subtle details, and end up having the big picture?

“These four qualities are essential to nation-building. Age is not one of them, nor is it a requirement to obtain any of them.

“Maturity is not a function of age. Rather, it is a function of the mindset, emotional intelligence, and the ability to understand oneself and the world. Maturity is earned from training the mind, not from aging. Consequently, we have many adults who are all but mature in the way they think, act, or relate with others and the world they live in. Conversely, we have children who have defied all odds and achieved even the seemingly impossible.

“I am not shocked that no Nigerian was named among the young achievers in the world. This is because there are strategic policies that suspend the laudable achievements of brilliant young minds till later ages. The proof of this assertion is all around us.

“Age is not maturity. Children are now demonstrating exceptional academic intelligence, which is not common in their ages. I strongly believe that no child deserves to have his or her dreams impugned upon by reason of age alone.

“University autonomy includes, among other things, the discretion to waive the minimum age requirements for students who pass the minimum admission requirements and possess exceptional academic potential. This is as obtainable in the UK, Australia, Norway, and South Korea.

“It should not be within the competence of the Federal Government to direct that students of certain ages are disqualified from entering into tertiary institutions after they have met all other admission requirements.

“We do not forge with our own hands the chain that will hamper the development of our gifted children. The minimum age requirement should also give universities the discretion to admit children below the age of sixteen (16) who are endowed with exceptional ability.”

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, recently emphasized on television the federal government's policy prohibiting students under 18 from registering for examinations that facilitate access to higher education.

He announced that students will no longer be permitted to sit for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams, which include the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), as well as the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams, which oversee the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

The Minister stated that the Federal Government has instructed WAEC and NECO to comply with the directive enforcing the 18-year age limit, ensuring that all candidates meet this requirement to qualify for the examinations, while reiterating that the minimum age for university admission in Nigeria is 18 years