Onward Baptist School in Ugwan-Maigero, Kaduna, marked its Career Day on Friday with a strong focus on providing early career guidance for students.
During the event, the school advocated for lowering the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions to 16, as opposed to the current standard of 18.
In an exclusive interview, Principal Jude Inuwa Abubakar emphasized the importance of career guidance for the students at the start of a new academic session.
“We want our SS1 students to develop an early interest in their preferred fields, be it Arts or Sciences, so they can make informed decisions about their careers,” he said.
He also highlighted the enthusiasm among students, noting that many were motivated by the event to pursue professions such as medicine, law, and engineering.
Abubakar expressed pride in the school’s academic achievements, revealing that 98% of students had successfully passed all subjects in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
He questioned the rationale behind the current age limit for tertiary education entry, explaining that most students finish secondary school by age 16 or 17. “Delaying their entry into higher education could lead to a backlog of students waiting for admission,” he noted.
Board Chairman Mr. Daniel Ishaya echoed the school’s commitment to fostering early career clarity among students. “We aim to motivate our students from this moment onward, giving them a clear idea of their future careers before they graduate,” he said.
Ishaya also discussed the potential of Nigeria’s youth to drive economic growth, stressing that young Nigerians are already demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and trade.
Addressing broader challenges, Ishaya compared Nigeria’s development trajectory to that of other nations, particularly the United States and China.
“We are facing teething challenges, but so did other nations at similar stages of their development.
In time, Nigeria will overcome its current obstacles and experience exponential growth,” he said.
The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including a drama on career opportunities, and a debate on careers in journalism, engineering, and architecture. The program was well-received, inspiring students to think critically about their future and the paths they wish to pursue.
The school’s call for a revision of the tertiary education age limit is part of a broader initiative to ensure that Nigeria’s youth are not only well-prepared for their futures but also given every opportunity to succeed.
