• On Friday, September 6, the Federal Government clarified that students wishing to take exams with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) are not subject to an age restriction.
• Dr. Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, made this statement in Abuja, addressing confusion over earlier remarks made by the Minister of Education
• Sununu clarified that Mamman’s comments were related to age requirements for admission into tertiary institutions, which follow the 6:3:3:4 education system.

The Federal Government has clarified clarified that the government has not imposed an age restriction on students taking the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). 

The Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Friday, September 6, during the 2024 International Literacy Day event in Abuja.

Sununu addressed the recent confusion caused by remarks from the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.

Mamman had recently stated on a television programme that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), which administer the SSCE, would no longer permit underage students to sit for their exams. 

He explained that under Nigerian educational laws, students are expected to complete specific educational stages by certain ages, culminating in an age of approximately 17 and a half upon reaching senior secondary school.

However, Sununu emphasised that the ministry has not banned students under the age of 18 from taking the SSCE. He described the interpretation of Mamman's comments as a misunderstanding. 

"No child will be barred from taking WAEC, NECO, or any other examination solely based on age. This is a misconception and misrepresentation," Sununu stated.

Sununu clarified that Mamman’s comments were related to age requirements for admission into tertiary institutions, which follow the 6:3:3:4 education system. 

In April, Mamman had instructed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to stop admitting students under 18 years old after this year’s admissions cycle, reflecting a longstanding policy rather than a new initiative.

Additionally, Sununu mentioned that the ministry is working on developing guidelines to identify exceptionally talented children who may be eligible for early admission into higher education institutions. He expressed concern over reports of universities admitting very young children, emphasizing the need for rules while acknowledging that exceptional cases may exist. 

“We are considering this as a work in progress,” Sununu noted, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that exceptional students are not unfairly excluded from opportunities.

“Misplaced priority”: Nigerians react as FG bans admission for under-18 candidates

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had announced a ban on admission for underaged candidates into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. 

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman made the announcement on Thursday during the 2024 policy meeting on Admissions to tertiary institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB).