The Federal Government has prohibited individuals under the age of 18 from taking part in the National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman confirmed this directive during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
Mamman emphasised that the age limit for candidates taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is 18.
The minister clarified that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.
“In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations,” Mamman stated.
He further explained that this policy ensures students have spent the requisite years in each educational phase before taking these crucial exams.
The age requirement also applies to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Mamman reiterated that the age limit for UTME candidates is 18 years, and starting next year, the policy will be strictly enforced.
He said, “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.
“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.
“So, 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.”
