The Federal Government has announced that individuals under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to take part in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. This decision was made public by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program.
Mamman explained that the government has instructed WAEC and NECO to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates wishing to take these exams. He clarified that this is not a new policy, but rather a reminder of an existing rule.
The Minister stated that the age limit for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains set at 18 years. However, he noted that JAMB will allow students below the age of 18 to take the exam this year, butfrom next year, only candidates who meet the required age will be admitted.
Mamman emphasized that this decision is based on the standard duration of education in Nigeria. He explained that students typically spend 17 and a half years in school, from early child care to primary school, junior secondary school, and senior secondary school. Therefore, by the time they are ready for admission, they should be at least 18 years old.
The Minister stressed that NECO and WAEC will no longer allow underage children to write their examinations. Candidates must have spent the requisite number of years in their current level of study to be eligible to take the exam.
In summary, the Federal Government has reinforced the age requirement for taking WAEC and NECO exams, ensuring that only candidates who meet the minimum age of 18 can participate. This decision aims to maintain educational standards and prevent underage students from rushing into taking critical exams without proper preparation
