The Federal Government of Nigerian has announced a significant policy change regarding the age eligibility for secondary school leaving examinations.
Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman declared that underage candidates would no longer be permitted to sit for exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
This directive also extends to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Minister Mamman emphasized that the age limit for candidates taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is now set at 18 years.
He clarified, "In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations." This policy is not new but a reinforcement of existing regulations aimed at ensuring students have spent the requisite years in each educational phase before taking these crucial exams.
The minister provided a detailed breakdown of the educational timeline to justify the age requirement. Early child care typically lasts for five years, followed by six years of primary education starting at age six.
Students then spend three years in junior secondary school and another three years in senior secondary school. By this timeline, students are expected to be around 17 and a half years old, aligning with the 18-year minimum age requirement for university admission.
Mamman reiterated, "For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time." The enforcement of this age limit aims to standardize educational processes across the country and ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education. The government believes that this regulation will improve the overall quality and readiness of students entering tertiary institutions.
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