U-18 candidates barred from WAEC, NECO exams by FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that candidates below 18 years will no longer be allowed to sit for secondary school leaving examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

This information was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program on August 25, 2024.

Prof. Mamman emphasized that both WAEC and NECO are now required to enforce an 18-year age limit for candidates.

This applies to those taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

He clarified that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.

Prof. Mamman stated:

“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…

“NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations.”

The minister reiterated that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) remains at 18 years.

This exam is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Background on the U-18 policy

The age limit for sitting secondary school leaving examinations like WAEC and NECO is not a new policy but rather a reinforcement of existing guidelines.

Historically, this policy stems from concerns about the maturity of students who are being rushed through the educational system.

The idea is that students should be at least 17 or 18 years old by the time they finish primary and secondary education.

This ensures they are mature enough to handle the academic and social pressures of higher education.

The policy aims to prevent underage students from being prematurely thrust into the rigors of university life.

This could impact their academic success and personal development long-term.

This policy addresses concerns about education quality and the physical and emotional maturity needed for university education.

As the Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, emphasized, the policy has existed for a long time, but there has been lax enforcement, leading to a situation where very young students were gaining entry into universities.

The directive ensures all students are at least 18 years, before taking these critical exams to meet the age requirement.

International comparisons

In comparison to other West African countries and globally, Nigeria’s age requirement aligns with similar policies.

Countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone have similar age guidelines for secondary school leaving exams, though enforcement varies.

Internationally, students in many countries like the UK and the US typically complete their secondary education around age 18.

This aligns with the global standard that ensures they have the necessary maturity and readiness for university education.

These comparisons highlight Nigeria’s efforts to standardize its educational policies in line with international best practices.

Implications for students

One of the significant impacts of this policy will be on younger students who are academically advanced but underage.

These students will face delays, needing to wait until age 18 to take their WAEC or NECO exams.

This could disrupt accelerated students’ plans and frustrate those eager to advance to higher education.

Furthermore, this waiting period could impact their academic momentum, which is a concern for both students and educators.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook