Dorothy Tillman: Why Tinubu must remove age limit to youth development
Sopuruchi Onwuka
The remarkable achievements of Chicago’s Dorothy Jean Tillman, who recently became the youngest person in the world to earn a Ph.D. at the age of 17, offer a compelling argument for dismantling the various age, religious, and ethnic barriers that continue to hinder Nigerian youths in their pursuit of opportunities both at home and abroad.
Ms Tillman obtained her Ph.D at an age one year below the mandatary age for sitting for high school certification in NIgeria; and her success story arrives in critical time in the midst of widespread outcry against Nigerian government’s ban on children under 18 to take college certificates.
Young Ms Tillman took her first university course at the age of 10: and at the age of 14, bagged an Associate Diploma, a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree. Now at the age of 17, she is Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman.
The head rising education speed is questioning the quality of education policies that, instead of encouraging brilliant Nigerian geniuses, have become solid barriers to their progress and growth. Just last week the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria declared that Nigeria children should wait till 18 years before they write WAEC, NECO and JAMB. And despite a spate of public against the backward age restriction policy, government has been vigorously defending the thoughtless age limit as necessary.
With the story of Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman, it has become obvious that the age limit on Nigerian college students is not just devastating and frustrating to students and parents but anachronistic and punitive to younger generation of Nigerians who are now set back in the global race for innovation.
Tillman’s story serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible when young talent is nurtured without restrictions, and it underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to reevaluate the policies and social norms that limit the potential of its youth.
Nigeria’s recent policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old before taking crucial exams like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exemplifies how age-based restrictions can stifle the aspirations of young, talented individuals. In contrast, Dorothy Jean Tillman was able to take her first university course at the age of 10 and completed her Ph.D. by 17. Her success story highlights the flaws in rigid age-based policies that fail to recognize and nurture early potential.
By imposing an arbitrary age limit, Nigeriathe government of President Bola Tinubu risks holding back a generation of young innovators who, like Tillman, could be making significant contributions to society at a much younger age. And like his pack of old generation politicians who do not fit into the jet speed of the new generation, Tinubu’s age restrictions on young Nigerians do not just delay educational and professional progress; they also send a message that young people must conform to outdated timelines rather than be encouraged to excel at their own pace.
The Tinubu education age limit appears to conform to certain obnoxious religious barriers that also play significant role in limiting opportunities for Nigerian youths.
In a country where religion often influences educational and professional opportunities, young people may find themselves restricted or discriminated against based on their faith. This religious bias can manifest in various ways, from limited access to certain schools and scholarships to outright exclusion from opportunities that are reserved for members of specific religious groups.
And age restrictions can rapidly translate to permanent loss of local and foreign scholarship opportunities for students who aspire to plug into global channels of assistance to escape the Nigerian trap!
The success of individuals like Dorothy Jean Tillman should serve as an inspiration to embrace diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to pursue their goals regardless of their religious background. Removing these barriers would not only promote fairness but also unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s youth, fostering innovation and progress across the nation.
Already, voices on the social media are alluding that the age restriction for college certification targets students and pupils from certain sections of the country! And the prevailing perception of ethnic prejudices in government polices present yet another challenge for Nigerian youths.
In a country as ethnically diverse as Nigeria, opportunities are often distributed unevenly, with some ethnic groups enjoying more access to education, employment, and other resources than others. This ethnic discrimination can create deep-seated divisions and prevent the country from harnessing the full potential of its diverse population.
The global success of young achievers like Tillman, who has thrived in an environment that values merit over ethnicity, highlights the importance of creating a level playing field for all Nigerian youths. By dismantling ethnic barriers, Nigeria can ensure that talent and hard work are rewarded, regardless of one’s ethnic background. This would not only promote national unity but also contribute to a more competitive and innovative workforce.
Instead of blocking the progress of the Nigerian child in the field of education and innovation, popular expectation is a policy that encourages talents and exceptional performance. Embracing a merit based reward system while providing support for disadvantaged and underprivileged pupils have no alternatives. And sacrificing the progress of budding stars on the altar of illogic, dim-witted and flawed government policies is most unpatriotic and uncharitable.
To truly empower its youth, Nigeria must move towards a system that prioritizes merit over age, religion, and ethnicity. This means reforming educational policies to allow gifted students to advance based on their abilities, rather than their age. It also means promoting religious and ethnic inclusivity in all sectors, from education to employment, to ensure that all young Nigerians have equal access to opportunities.
Embracing a merit-based system will not only benefit individual youths but also contribute to the overall development of the country. By nurturing talent and breaking down barriers, Nigeria can cultivate a generation of leaders, innovators, and professionals who are equipped to compete on the global stage.
It is noteworthy that President Tinubu has an outstanding opportunity to redeem his relationship with the Nigerian youths. It was strikingly evident in the last presidential elections that the country’s young population demanded younger and more digitally savvy president, especially in the wake of the retrogressive regime that preceded the current administration of the government. The slam of 18 years age limit for high school certificate on students does not only confirm fears to retrogressive regime but also certainly puts President Tinubu’s name in history as a block in the wheels of Nigeria’s progress.
With the obnoxious education age limit, Tinubu also risks the anger of parents whose efforts in giving their children global opportunity through early education are being thwarted. While young Nigeria school students remain in panic, parents and grandparents worry over the scenarios where their children and grand children sit at home for years in wait to reach 18 years before taking certificate examinations. These thoughts only worry majority of poor Nigerians whose children school in the country. It 90 percent possible that the policy makers churning out the painful education limits for children have their own wards schooling abroad!
The slam of age limit on school certification over and above merit is, as a matter absolute fact, a disgraceful national disaster!
Thus, the story of Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman is a wake-up call for President Bola Tinubu’s government to rethink its approach to youth development and dismantle the age, religious, and ethnic barriers that stand in the way of Nigerian youths and replace them with policies and practices that empower all young people to achieve their full potential. That would be the workable strategy for the country to unlock the talents of its youth, drive innovation, and secure a brighter future for the nation.
