FG Bans Under-18 Students from Writing NECO, WAEC Exams

Professor Mamman explained that the government has instructed both WAEC, which oversees the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), to enforce this age requirement.

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially barred students below the age of 18 from participating in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations.

This directive was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program.

Professor Mamman explained that the government has instructed both WAEC, which oversees the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), to enforce this age requirement.

The minister clarified that the decision is in line with existing policies, stating that candidates must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for these examinations. He emphasized that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of the regulations already in place.

Professor Mamman also reiterated that the minimum age requirement for candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains at 18 years.

He noted that while students below this age were allowed to take the UTME in the current year, starting next year, the age limit will be strictly enforced.

“By the time students progress from early child care through primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary education, they should be about 17 and a half years old, ready for university admission. This policy aligns with the expected educational timeline,” the minister explained.

He added that NECO and WAEC will no longer permit students who have not met the requisite number of years in their respective levels of study to sit for their examinations.

The decision has sparked reactions, with the government maintaining that it is merely enforcing an existing rule rather than introducing a new one.