The Federal Government has officially mandated that individuals under the age of 18 are no longer eligible to participate in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. This directive was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program.
Professor Mamman clarified that this age requirement is not a new policy but rather an existing one that is being reinforced. The policy affects both the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) administered by WAEC and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) overseen by NECO.
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The Minister also pointed out that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains at 18 years. According to Professor Mamman, this policy ensures that students spend the required number of years in their educational journey before sitting for these critical exams. He emphasized that the age limit aligns with the standard progression through the educational system, from early childhood education to senior secondary school.
As a result of this enforcement, starting from next year, students under 18 years of age will not be allowed to sit for WAEC or NECO exams, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and structure of the educational system.
