The Executive Secretary of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishiaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, has praised Obafemi Awolowo University, located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, for its commitment to fostering mentorship and academic excellence, which is vital for the future of this esteemed institution.
Oloyede also advised parents of prospective university
students in Nigeria against the practice of age falsification to meet the
minimum age requirement of 18 years, cautioning that such actions could lead
their children into a life of corruption and crime.
His remarks were made during the presentation of the
Academic and Research Excellence Award to the distinguished legal expert and
professor of practice, Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), by Obafemi Awolowo University.
The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin
emphasized that for universities to fulfill their roles as centers of higher
learning, they must not only promote scholarship and academic research but also
recognize and reward excellence.
Oloyede endorsed the selection of the award recipient as an
exemplary decision, noting that the initiative by OAU’s administration to honor
both the awardee and the 2024 OAU university stars is a commendable approach to
fostering scholarship and excellence.
He remarked, “The key takeaway from this event is to
illustrate that universities possess the capacity for development, which
includes recognizing and nurturing the elements that contribute to growth.
Obafemi Awolowo University has acknowledged exceptional
talent, and it is a common practice in universities worldwide to designate
outstanding students as university scholars, encouraging them to aspire to
become future academics.
By honoring Yusuf Olaolu Ali, the university is promoting
mentorship, enabling these mentors to guide others, thereby enhancing our
ability to cultivate individuals who will contribute to national development.”
In the discussion regarding age limits, the JAMB Registrar
stated, "This year, the minimum age is set at 16, rather than 18.
Ultimately, how many exceptional students do we produce?
Instead of addressing the core issues, individuals are resorting to shortcuts
and making excuses." He further remarked, "Primary education begins
at age 6, followed by 12 years of schooling before entering university. This is
not a new initiative.
Fortunately, the esteemed minister has concurred that the
minimum age will be 16 this year. We must rectify our approach and acknowledge
that what is abnormal is becoming the norm. How can one claim that 50% of the
class consists of exceptionally talented individuals? What results are we
observing? People are taking shortcuts that undermine the interests of the
students.
Why would one wish to advance a person who is not
biologically prepared?" he questioned. "It is beneficial that the age
requirement is 16 this year, and any individual under this age will not be
admitted to university, although institutions like UNILAG have historically not
accepted students younger than 16.
We are merely reinforcing the existing policy rather than
instituting a new one, thus there is no need to falsify one's age to gain
university admission, as this only introduces the child to a culture of
corruption and crime.
Our focus is not solely on educational achievement but
rather on the implications of pushing students beyond their biological
readiness. This practice subjects them to undue stress, as such children are
not mentally equipped for the curriculum," he concluded.