FG did not stop under-18s from writing WAEC, NECO –Minister

Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Education has clarified that students under 18 are not barred from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams, countering widespread misconceptions. This statement was made by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, in Abuja during the 2024 International Literacy Day celebration, following confusion over recent comments by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

Dr. Sununu expressed disappointment over the misinterpretation of the minister’s remarks, emphasizing that the comments were solely about the recommended age of 18 for university entry, not for sitting secondary school exams. “Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO, or any other examination unless at age 18. This is a misconception and misrepresentation of what we have said,” Dr. Sununu clarified, urging the public to disregard the misleading narrative.

The minister highlighted concerns about young children, some as young as 10 to 12 years, being admitted into universities, which he described as contrary to standard educational practices. While acknowledging that exceptional cases exist where gifted students advance early, he reiterated that these are rare exceptions and do not reflect the general policy on exam eligibility.

This clarification comes amidst public outcry and confusion, as many Nigerians feared that their children would be prevented from taking crucial exams due to their age. The government assured that it remains committed to supporting all students, allowing them to progress through their educational milestones without unnecessary age-based restrictions, while maintaining the appropriate standards for university admissions.