The Federal Government has barred individuals under the age of 18 years from participating in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this when he appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme on Sunday night.
He said the Federal Government has instructed WAEC which administers the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and NECO which organises the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to comply with the directive on 18 years age limit for any candidate to be eligible for the two examinations.
Mamman also insisted that the age limit for any candidate where he emphasized the importance of adhering to this age restriction to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the demands of higher education. “The age limit for any candidate to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) remains 18 years,” Prof. Mamman mentioned.
“It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.
Prof. Mamman elaborated on the rationale behind the policy, explaining that it is designed to align the educational timeline with global best practices. He stated, “Even basically, if you compute the number of years pupils and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.”
This calculation, according to the Minister, justifies the age requirement and ensures that students are both academically and emotionally prepared for the challenges of tertiary education.
The decision has received support from various stakeholders, including the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NPTAN). The association’s president, Haruna Danjuma, emphasized the need for this policy to be enforced across all examination bodies. He noted that the policy would prevent underage students, particularly those from affluent backgrounds, from being rushed through the education system without adequate preparation. “This policy is crucial for maintaining the integrity and quality of our educational system,”Danjuma stated.
Despite the support, there has been some criticism regarding the sudden implementation of the policy.
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Critics argue that the transition period might be too short for students and parents to adjust, especially those who have already been preparing for these exams under the previous age guidelines.
However, the government remains firm, asserting that this policy is necessary for the long-term development of the educational sector in Nigeria. Prof. Mamman addressed these concerns, stating, “We are not coming up with new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing.”
“In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations. In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years in that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination,” the Minsiter stated.
The Ministry of Education is also considering additional reforms to support students who may be affected by this policy.
This includes the potential creation of bridging programs or alternative pathways for younger students who will now have to wait until they are 18 to take these critical exams.
Further details on these support measures are expected to be released in the coming months as the government works to ensure a smooth transition for all affected students.
