The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a controversial new policy banning students under 18 from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. The policy has sparked a debate among educators, parents, and education stakeholders, with reactions sharply divided between those who support the age limit and those who see it as impractical and unfair.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced the age restriction on a national television program, stating that the government was not introducing a new rule but enforcing an existing policy. According to Mamman, the minimum age for students to sit for secondary school leaving exams is now officially set at 18 years. This directive also affects the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where candidates must also be 18 or older to qualify.
During his announcement, Mamman emphasized that the policy aims to ensure students are fully prepared for the challenges of higher education. He explained that, based on the typical progression through Nigeria’s educational system, a student would be 17 and a half years old by the time they are ready for university admission. This age calculation includes five years of early childhood education, six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school starting at age 12, and three years of senior secondary school.
“This is not a new policy; it has been in place for a long time,” Mamman said. “We are simply reminding people of what already exists. NECO and WAEC will not allow underage children to write their examinations. If a student has not spent the required number of years at each educational level, they will not be permitted to take these exams.”
However, the decision has faced significant opposition, particularly from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Dr. Mike Ene, Secretary-General of the NUT, criticized the age restriction, arguing that societal changes, such as early enrollment in crèches due to economic pressures, make the policy unrealistic. He pointed out that many parents now enroll their children in early childhood education programs so they can start working sooner, resulting in students reaching advanced educational stages at a younger age.
“The only way this policy could work is if it starts at the foundation level, like primary school,” Ene argued. “Nowadays, economic pressures force parents to enroll their children in crèches early, which means both parents must work. These young children begin learning quickly, and you can’t stop them. The brain continues to develop and learns rapidly. Stopping their education based on age could hinder their natural intellectual growth.”
Ene also highlighted that the policy fails to account for exceptional students who may be younger but are academically advanced. He warned that the age restriction could lead to legal challenges and urged the government to rethink its approach. “You have to consider exceptional students as well,” he said. “Some students are 16 years old in SS3. What are these students supposed to do? Wait two more years? This policy could lead to numerous legal challenges. It is poorly conceived and needs to be thoroughly reconsidered.”
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) also weighed in on the debate. National President Shammah Kpanja maintained that decisions about allowing students under 18 to sit for exams should depend on their abilities rather than age. He argued that some gifted students might not need to spend the full number of years in school if they demonstrate a high level of intelligence.
Kpanja criticized the government for focusing on age restrictions rather than addressing more pressing issues in the education sector, such as providing functional equipment in schools, improving infrastructure, and enhancing teacher welfare. “The real issues are about improving the quality of education,” Kpanja stated. “We need functional facilities in schools. In some villages, children sit on the ground in classrooms without roofs. The government should prioritize addressing these issues rather than imposing age limits.”
Kpanja also pointed out inconsistencies in the government’s policies, highlighting that while the government restricts younger students from taking WASSCE, it allows child marriages in some parts of the country. “How can the government justify this contradiction?” he asked. “You allow young girls to marry at 12 but restrict them from taking WAEC at 16? What are the government’s priorities?”
In response to the criticism, the Minister of Education clarified that the policy would be implemented gradually. For the 2024 admissions, students who are under 18 but have already taken the UTME will still be allowed to proceed with their university admissions. However, from 2025 onwards, the age limit will be strictly enforced. Mamman stressed that this phased approach is designed to give parents and students time to adjust to the new requirements.
Despite the government’s explanations, the policy remains a contentious issue. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities is set to meet in September to discuss the implications of the age limit for university admissions. Professor Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary-General of the committee, noted that while the policy aligns with the 6-3-3-4 educational system, which specifies age brackets for each stage of schooling, enforcing the age limit could create challenges for universities.
“There are exceptional children who possess the intellectual maturity to succeed in university, even if they are younger than 18,” Ochefu said. “We need to consider creating provisions for these students, possibly through specialized programs for gifted individuals. This way, they are not unfairly disadvantaged by the policy.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Amos Dagnut, Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), expressed support for the government’s decision, emphasizing that education in Nigeria is regulated by the government. “If the government sets a policy, it is within their rights to enforce it,” Dagnut stated. “WAEC does not regulate candidates’ ages. We follow the information provided by the schools, and we will comply with any policies set by the Ministry of Education.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also backed the policy. Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU’s National President, argued that children should follow a standard academic progression: six years in primary school, six years in secondary school, and then move on to university at the age of 18. He questioned why there is such a rush to enter university at a younger age and suggested that students should be given time to mature.
“Adulthood begins at 18,” Osodeke said. “We should allow children to enjoy their youth and develop fully before taking on the challenges of university life. Why force a child to go to university or live on their own at 15? We need to consider their well-being and the stress of early adulthood.”
