The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to ban candidates under 18 years old from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams, a move that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has supported.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics,’ the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced the enforcement of an existing age policy, which sets 18 as the minimum age for secondary school leaving examinations. This policy means that underage candidates will no longer be permitted to take the WASSCE and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), both essential for progressing to tertiary education. The age limit will also apply to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Professor Mamman emphasised that this is not a new policy, stating, “For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.” He further explained that when the number of years a student is expected to spend in school is calculated, they would typically be around 17 and a half years old by the time they are ready for university admission. “In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations,” he added.
The minister detailed the expected timeline for students, noting that early childhood care should last five years, with primary education beginning at age six. After six years in primary school and three years in junior secondary, students would move to senior secondary school at age 15, spending three years before university at age 18.
In a previous meeting with JAMB and other education stakeholders, Professor Mamman insisted that the UTME should be set at 18 years. He reiterated, “JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underage students, those under the age of 18, from our tertiary institutions for the 2024 admissions… It doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law.”
This policy has sparked criticism, particularly from university stakeholders, as many underage candidates had already taken the UTME without expecting such a directive. As a result, the minister initially reversed the directive, allowing candidates from 16 years old to be admitted into university as before, but only until 2025. However, in his latest pronouncement, Professor Mamman stood firm, saying, “It is 18 (years)… from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age, which is 18.”
Dr. Mike Ene, the Secretary-General of NUT, voiced concerns about the policy, noting that societal changes, like early enrollment in crèches due to economic pressures, make it unrealistic to restrict learning based on age. He said, “The only way this policy could work is if it’s implemented from the foundation. By that, I mean starting at the primary school level.” Dr. Ene also highlighted that children in crèches start learning quickly, and stopping them from learning could hinder their brain development.
He warned that the policy could lead to legal challenges and urged the government to reconsider, calling it “poorly conceived.” He questioned, “Some students are 16 years old in SS3. Is the minister taking these scenarios into account? What are these students supposed to do? Wait two more years?”
National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Shammah Kpanja, echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the decision to allow students under 18 to sit for exams should depend on their abilities, not just their age. He advised the government to focus on more critical issues, such as providing functional equipment in schools, addressing infrastructure deficits, and improving teachers’ welfare, rather than imposing age restrictions on exams.
Mr. Kpanja also pointed out the inconsistencies in government priorities, questioning how child marriages are allowed in the North while younger students are barred from taking WASSCE. He asked, “Did their children sit for WASSCE at 18 years? You allow young girls to marry at 12 in the North, but they can’t take WAEC at 16? What are the government’s priorities?”
Professor Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, stated that the Vice-Chancellors would meet in September to discuss the policy. He noted that the 6-3-3-4 system of education, which ties specific age brackets to educational levels, has been part of the law for years, though it has not been enforced. “Why is it now, when someone attempts to enforce it, that it becomes a problem for Nigerians?” he asked.
WAEC Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dagnut, emphasised that the regulation of education in Nigeria is the government’s prerogative. “If the government is regulating education, it is within their purview to do so. We at WAEC do not regulate or keep records of candidates’ ages, as these details are submitted to us by the schools,” he said.
ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that although ASUU had not yet discussed the matter, he personally believes that children should follow the standard academic progression. “Adulthood begins at 18, so why force a child to go to the university or rent an apartment at 15? We need to consider the well-being of these children,” he said.
Mallam Musa Ibrahim, National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, supported the government’s decision, stressing that emotional maturity is as important as intellectual readiness. He attributed high failure rates in national examinations to students under 18 taking the exams, explaining, “A student might be intellectually ready, but if they are not emotionally prepared, they can be vulnerable.” He added that younger students entering university are exposed to negative influences, including cultism, and that this policy could help ensure that students are mature enough to handle university life.
Ibrahim also pointed out that allowing children under 18 to write SSCE has created problems, including high failure rates in WAEC. He noted that last year, none of the top scorers among the 1.8 million Nigerian students who registered were from Nigeria, with all top scorers coming from Ghana. He also criticised parents for pushing their children to graduate too quickly, contributing to these issues.
