The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticized the Federal Government’s recent decision to enforce a minimum age limit of 18 for candidates sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. This stance contrasts with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which supports the policy, according to reports by The PUNCH.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced the enforcement of the age policy during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. Prof. Mamman clarified that the new directive will restrict candidates below 18 years from participating in the WASSCE and NECO exams. The policy also extends to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where candidates must now be at least 18 years old to qualify.
Mamman emphasized that the directive is not a new development but rather a reinforcement of existing regulations. He explained that based on the standard education timeline—from early childhood care to senior secondary school—students should naturally reach 18 years of age by the time they are ready for university admission. “This is not a new policy; it’s simply reminding people of what already exists,” the minister said.
However, the NUT, through its Secretary-General, Dr. Mike Ene, voiced strong opposition, arguing that the policy fails to account for changes in societal dynamics. Dr. Ene highlighted that due to economic pressures, children are often enrolled in crèches early, accelerating their academic progression. “The only way this policy could work is if it’s implemented from the foundation, starting at primary school,” he said. He warned that exceptional students, who may be younger but academically advanced, would be unfairly disadvantaged, potentially leading to legal challenges.
On the other hand, ASUU and other education stakeholders, including the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Shammah Kpanja, support the policy. They argue that students should follow the traditional academic timeline, emphasizing the importance of emotional maturity alongside intellectual readiness. Kpanja further urged the government to focus on addressing critical issues like inadequate infrastructure, teachers’ welfare, and outdated facilities, rather than age restrictions for exams.
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the ASUU National President, agreed with the policy, stating that rushing students into universities at a young age could be detrimental. “Why force a child to go to university at 15? Adulthood begins at 18; children need time to develop properly,” Osodeke remarked.
The policy has also gained backing from the National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mallam Musa Ibrahim. He argued that underage candidates are often not emotionally prepared for tertiary education, which contributes to poor performance and increased vulnerability to negative influences like cultism. “It’s not just about intelligence; emotional maturity is crucial,” he said, citing high failure rates among underage candidates in previous exams as evidence.
While the policy has sparked debate across the education sector, the Federal Government appears determined to proceed. Prof. Mamman reiterated that the age requirement will be fully enforced starting in 2025, allowing this year’s candidates below 18 to complete their exams as planned. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities is scheduled to discuss the policy further in September, potentially setting the tone for its implementation across the country.
As the discussions continue, stakeholders remain divided over whether the age-based policy will ultimately enhance or hinder the quality of education in Nigeria.
