The Federal Government has recently reinforced the age limit for students participating in major national exams, such as the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. In a recent interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that individuals under the age of 18 will no longer be permitted to sit for these exams. This policy, while being highlighted anew, is not a recent development but rather a reiteration of existing regulations.
Prof. Mamman explained that both WAEC, responsible for conducting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), have been directed to strictly enforce the 18-year age requirement for exam candidates. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure that students have completed the requisite number of years in their educational journey before attempting these critical examinations.
The Minister emphasized that this policy is rooted in the structured timeline of a student’s academic life. Typically, a child who begins early childhood education and progresses through primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schooling would be around 17 and a half years old by the time they are ready to sit for these exams. Therefore, the enforcement of the 18-year age limit aligns with the natural progression through the educational system.
Additionally, Prof. Mamman noted that the age limit for taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), also remains at 18 years. This examination serves as the gateway to university education in Nigeria, and starting next year, JAMB will strictly enforce this age requirement. However, for this year only, an exception is being made to allow students below 18 to sit for the exam, serving as a notice period for parents to adjust to the enforcement of this policy.
The decision to emphasize and enforce these age restrictions is not about introducing new policies but about ensuring that students have adequately prepared for these significant academic milestones. Prof. Mamman made it clear that the focus is not merely on the chronological age of the students but on ensuring they have completed the necessary educational phases. The policy is designed to maintain the integrity of the educational system and ensure that students are adequately prepared both in terms of age and educational experience before they take on these pivotal examinations.
The government’s stance is clear: underage students who have not spent the required number of years in school will be ineligible to sit for NECO and WAEC exams. This move underscores the importance of following the established educational timeline to ensure that students are both intellectually and emotionally ready for the challenges of higher education.
RELATED: Nigeria Correctional Service Registers Inmates for NECO in Enugu
BaddieHub This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job