The Nigerian government has mandated an 18-year age limit for students registering for secondary school certificate examinations, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. The announcement was made by Minister of Education Tahir Mamman during a Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics.
According to Mamman, this directive will ensure that the WAEC and NECO comply with the age restriction, which aims to guarantee that students have completed the necessary number of years in school before taking these examinations. He clarified that this policy is a reinforcement of existing regulations, rather than a new policy.
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will also adhere to this age limit. From next year, JAMB will no longer admit students who are younger than 18, aligning with the new directive.
Mamman emphasized that this policy is intended to ensure that students reach the appropriate age and educational level before attempting these exams. He explained that the total duration of early child care, primary school, junior secondary school, and senior secondary school roughly adds up to 17.5 years, which corresponds with the 18-year age limit.
The minister noted that while the age restriction will be enforced for future admissions, this year will serve as a transition period. JAMB will still accept students who are underage this year, but from next year, adherence to the 18-year age requirement will be strictly enforced.
Solid FM | March 27, 2024
