Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Education Policy on Age Limit for Exams as “Stone Age” Thinking

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s new education policy, which sets an age limit of 18 years for students to write secondary school leaving examinations and gain entry into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Atiku described the policy as outdated and detrimental to the pursuit of knowledge.

The policy, announced by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, states that students below 18 years will no longer be allowed to sit for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement released on Wednesday, Atiku condemned the policy, calling it “an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.” He argued that the federal government’s decision contradicts the principles of federalism, where responsibilities, such as education, should be shared between the federal and state governments.

Atiku emphasized that education is on the concurrent list of the Nigerian constitution, meaning states have significant authority over educational matters. “The federal government’s move to regulate education in this manner is unconstitutional,” he said. “It resembles a decree more than a policy.”

He further criticized the government’s approach, stating that it fails to account for gifted students. “The government’s admission that it has no plan for specially gifted pupils is a disgrace to the intellectual community in Nigeria,” Atiku added. “It portrays Nigeria as a nation that does not value its brightest minds.”

Atiku suggested that the federal government’s role should be to identify and support gifted students with scholarships, regardless of their age. He called for widespread opposition to the policy, describing it as a relic of the “Stone Ages” that restricts intellectual freedom and access to education.

He concluded his statement by urging those who value educational freedom and accessibility to condemn the policy.