Nigerian Govt Told to Suspend New Policy of 18 Year Age Limit for WAEC, NECO

Aug 30, 2024  Admission


Hassan Soweto, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, has called on the federal government of Nigeria to immediately suspend the newly implemented 18-year age limit for NECO and WAEC examinations. NECO (National Examinations Council) and WAEC (West African Examinations Council) are key examination bodies in Africa. 

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Soweto's reaction follows a recent statement by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, who announced that starting in 2025, candidates under the age of 18 would not be allowed to sit for these exams, effectively preventing them from seeking admission into tertiary institutions. Soweto criticized this decision, arguing that it unfairly drags Nigerians into an unnecessary controversy. He stated, "It's wrong to assume that early entry into university automatically leads to failure. The Minister's actions could punish thousands of young, brilliant students for issues caused by lapses within the Ministry of Education itself."

Soweto urged that the policy be suspended to allow for further discussions with stakeholders, so the implications can be thoroughly analyzed and properly addressed.

In related discussions about age limits for potential UTME candidates, John Adeniyi, deputy national coordinator of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), expressed concerns about the ongoing controversies. He cautioned that JAMB’s stance on its test administration practices could affect the integrity of the certificates issued through this process.

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