The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially set the minimum age for participation in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams at 18 years. This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Sunday Politics' program.
Prof. Mamman explained that the directive mandates WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), to enforce the age requirement for candidates wishing to take these exams. He clarified that this policy is not new but is being reinforced to ensure compliance.
The Minister also reaffirmed that the age limit for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains at 18 years. He noted that although younger students have been allowed to take the exam in the past, this year would serve as a final notice, and from next year, JAMB will strictly enforce the age requirement.
"It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age, but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age, which is 18," Prof. Mamman stated.
He further emphasized that this policy is consistent with the typical educational timeline, where students are expected to be around 17 and a half years old by the time they complete their senior secondary education. The enforcement of this age limit is intended to ensure that students are appropriately matured and prepared for the academic challenges ahead.
Prof. Mamman also addressed misconceptions about the policy, stressing that it is not new but a reminder of existing regulations. He assured that from now on, underage candidates will not be allowed to sit for NECO and WAEC exams unless they have completed the requisite number of years of study.
