The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Nigeria has established an age barrier, requiring students to be at least 18 years old to write the Ordinary Level exams, WASCE, NECO, NABTEB. This policy is a significant hindrance to academic excellence, as it restricts talented individuals from pursuing their educational goals.
As an adjudged scholar, I am compelled to express my deep concerns about this outdated regulation which serves as a retardating stance in having productive academic discovery.
The age barrier is not only discriminatory but also perpetuates inequality.
Talented students who are mentally ready for university education are forced to wait until they reach the arbitrary age of 18, regardless of their academic preparedness.
This delay can lead to a loss of motivation, decreased productivity, and a lack of competitiveness in the global academic arena.
Moreover, the age barrier contradicts the principles of meritocracy, which emphasizes academic achievement over age.
I will find it so difficult to believe that a 15-year-old who scores 300 and above in JAMB will have lesser academic potential compared to a 20-year-old who scored 120 in achieving productivity.
What matters is attitude, readiness, and access to quality education, not age, as age is being defined as nothing but ordinary figure.
By restricting admission based on age, JAMB is denying deserving students the opportunity to excel.
The policy also fails to consider the diverse educational backgrounds and experiences of students.
Some students may have started their education earlier or having accelerated learning advantage, making them ready for university-level studies before the age of 18.
By ignoring these individual differences, JAMB is adopting a one-size-fits-all approach that stifles academic growth.
It’s time for JAMB to reconsider the age barrier and adopt a more inclusive and merit-based approach for the prospective entrants into the highest place of academic learning in Nigeria.
By doing so, Nigeria can tap into the full potential of its youth, foster academic excellence, and compete globally.
Let us prioritize talent over age and create an education system that rewards hard work, dedication, and academic achievement.
In summary, the policy also negates the principle of “Catch Them Young” in an atmosphere of academic breakthrough.
– Kamaldeen Toyin writes From Ogidi, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
