Kayode Olopade

Increasing the minimum age requirement for university admission to 18 years is a good idea. This is because a level of physical and mental maturity is needed for students to excel at the tertiary education level.

Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule stated this during a ministerial press briefing to mark the first year of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office at Alausa, Ikeja.

The Commissioner, who expressed the readiness of the State government to implement the policy when it is eventually approved by the federal authority, stressed the need for graduates to be emotionally, mentally and psychologically prepared for life after school.

While defending the policy, as being canvassed by the Federal Government, he stressed that there is an automated system in place in the State to make the implementation work seamlessly.

Sule said, “As per the age of entering universities, it is a national policy. The decision to increase it to 18 is a well-informed one. You have to be prepared mentally and emotionally for higher education”.

The Commissioner identified industrial harmony as one of the major factors for the relative stability being enjoyed across all higher institutions owned by the Lagos State government.

Unlike other States of the federation, he stressed that the State-owned higher institutions have not experienced industrial strikes in the last five years.

He also revealed that the government has introduced a special scholarship of inclusion for People with Disabilities (PWDs)  and indigent students.

“This is to empower them to pursue their educational aspirations, irrespective of physical challenges”, he noted.

“It is in alignment with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the current administration, which prioritizes inclusive development. It is important to stress that the special scholarship extends to non-indigenes. This underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all residents of the State”, he added.

Sule also disclosed that the Ministry approved the sum of Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira as scholarship awards for 1,591 undergraduate & PhD recipients.

Those in attendance at the event include the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olumide Sogunle, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Adeniran Kasali.

Others are the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTEC, and the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State College of Education, LASUED among others.