Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has voiced his discontent over the federal government’s recent policy to restrict university admissions to students aged 18 and above.
Babalola labelled the decision as “unacceptable” and “retrogressive.”
Speaking to journalists in his office on Thursday, Babalola argued that this new directive would unjustly deprive exceptionally talented and gifted children of the chance to pursue higher education and advance their careers at a crucial juncture in their lives.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining university autonomy, advocating for institutions to have the discretion to admit students based on merit rather than age.
“The duty of the university is to exercise its discretion, and you can’t take that discretion away from them,” he stated, highlighting the prevalent practices in Western countries where admission decisions are made based on individual student capabilities rather than arbitrary age limits.
Babalola further criticized the government’s stance by asserting that age should not dictate a nation’s progress and development. He cautioned that policies which hinder the aspirations of young citizens could ultimately stifle the solutions they could offer to Nigeria’s myriad challenges.
Reflecting on the broader implications, he lamented, “You don’t just go out as a Minister of Education to direct universities against their autonomy regarding who to admit or who not to admit.” He expressed concern that Nigeria’s absence from the list of countries producing young achievers is a direct result of inconsistent and detrimental policies.
Babalola shared an inspiring example from ABUAD, stating, “We have had students who came to ABUAD at 15 and graduated with First Class at the age of 19, and we will continue to do so.” He cautioned, “Imposing a minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions without exceptions is a problematic stance that will ultimately affect the dreams of younger generations.”
He quoted American psychologist Elaine Aron, who 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?” Babalola insisted that these qualities are essential to nation-building, emphasizing that age is not a prerequisite for maturity or capability.
“Maturity is not a function of age. Rather, it is a function of mindset, emotional intelligence, and the ability to understand oneself and the world,” he explained, noting the paradox of older individuals who lack maturity compared to younger ones who have achieved remarkable feats.
Babalola concluded with a poignant reminder: “Age is not maturity. Children today are demonstrating exceptional academic intelligence that is uncommon for their age. I strongly believe that no child deserves to have his or her dreams impeded solely because of age.”
He advocated for a reevaluation of the government’s policy, suggesting that universities should be empowered to admit gifted children below the age of sixteen if they meet the necessary academic criteria. “We should not forge with our own hands the chains that will hamper the development of our gifted children,” he asserted, calling for a system that recognizes and nurtures the potential of Nigeria’s youth.