The Senate’s proposal to amend the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) Establishment Act and peg the minimum age for candidates at 18 has attracted controversial reactions among Nigerians.
Nigerians on social media have expressed their views on the proposal. According to some of the social media users, the Senate decision is seen as a well-thought one. While some believe that it’s a misplaced priority that would be harsh on brilliant children under the age of 18.
Supporting the Senate’s proposal, Idorenyin Etuk is positive about the reason behind the proposal, he said: “Actually we might have good reasons to keep minors out of today’s university environment till they are mature enough to handle that environment.”
Seed also said: “I heard it worked in Japan. I still think it is a good policy. However, children who show higher capacity for assimilation or geniuses should be exempted. There are a lot of children who are under 18 and in secondary school but finding it difficult to cope. Many actually.”
Ayomide called the attention of the general public to a major issue on how to make JAMB results valid for more than a year. He said: “Wetin make una dey think all these things? Aren’t there better issues? Like how the jamb result should be valid for more than a year?”
However, @moxyomotayo believes the decision will be harsh on young intelligent applicants, he said: “A very stupid things to propose. What should genius children do then? Spend 3-4 years at home bcos of age? Anyway, since we are all spewing dumb ideas, isn’t it better to ask candidates to upload a transcript from their secondary school to the site? Can prove they’re in ss3 then.”
@TheRealGulu also said: “What happens to very smart kids? Prodigies dey this Nigeria o. If they haven’t met any, I have. Kids who are 3, 4, classes smarter than their age. NASS wants to delay them. Bandits are ravaging the country and its age to enter Uni that disturbs NASS people. ??♂”
@Dann_10 added: “But a lot of these assembly members have kids and relatives who are below 18 in colleges abroad. This just doesn’t make any sense… What if the kid is a genius, the Nigerian factor would hold s/he down? Nawa!”
“The ministers and lawmakers under this administration are hell-bent on taking this country backwards. A young lady recently graduated from a private Nigerian university with first class at 18 and she’s on her way to a foreign university for her masters. What’s wrong with the U-18?” @shegzadd said.
Bucci said: “Tufiakwa. Everyday this govt tries a whole new law!. When there are kid prodigies in other countries being professors at 7years or 8years. When at 18, in the USA you have become your own man, you’re gonna hold people back from their dreams because they aren’t 18 yet. I weep for Naija”
@am1_Val said: “This is nonsense.. So if someone finishes school properly at 16 years, he/she will wait 2 years to write a jamb and the jamb itself you’re not sure of admission.. Many youths are now ditching school for skills because of the stupid ways education is being handled in this country.”
@UARian_ said: “Crazy decision. Have they not heard of people who have to write Jamb like 3 to 4 times? When one finishes secondary school at 15, what is he or she expected to be doing at home? The best the @NGRSenate can do is to ensure that one jamb can be relevant in years.”
