"It's disheartening to witness parents pushing their underage children to pursue university education," lamented the minister. "The standard age for university entry is 18, yet we observe candidates as young as 15 or 16 taking entrance examinations."

Highlighting the detrimental effects of parental pressure, Mamman stressed the necessity of allowing students to mature and comprehend the responsibilities associated with higher education. "Many young candidates lack the maturity to grasp the essence of university education," he remarked.

In response to the challenge of accommodating students who fail to secure admission into tertiary institutions, Mamman emphasized the government's commitment to promoting skills acquisition from the primary level. "Only 20 percent of students can be absorbed into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education," he explained. "This underscores the importance of equipping the remaining 80 percent with vocational skills."

Expounding on Mamman's stance, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin reiterated the significance of the 18-year benchmark in line with the 6-3-3-4 education structure. The alignment ensures consistency across the educational spectrum and reinforces the need for holistic development before embarking on tertiary education.