Top Story

FG bars candidates under 18 years old from writing WAEC, NECO exams

422

The Federal Government has announced a ban on underage students taking secondary school certificate exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, announced this on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’.

The minister announced that WAEC and NECO have received instructions to immediately enforce a long-standing rule requiring students to be at least 18 years old to register for WASSCE and SSCE exams.

He clarified that this is not a new policy, but rather a renewed emphasis on existing regulations that have been in place previously.

He said: “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.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.

“Even basically, if you compute the number of years pupils and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half—from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.

“So, we are not coming up with a new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing.

“In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations.

“In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years at that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination.”

The minister further clarified that the minimum age requirement of 18 years for candidates registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) remains unchanged.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran as DG PENCOM

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran for appointment...

Just in: Senate approves Tinubu’s $2.2 bln loan request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2...

Just in: Reps reject bill for six-year single tenure for president, governors

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday seeking...

Just in: Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over terror-related activities

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in...

Just in: FG sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Odoh,...

Senate raises alarm over fresh terrorists’ invasion from Mali, Burkina Faso, urges FG’s action 

Upset by the invasion of terrorists known as Lakurawa into Northern Nigeria...

Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ ambush: Defence HQ confirms killing of 5 soldiers in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists ambushed troops conducting...

Tinubu writes NASS for approval of $2.2bln fresh external loan

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking the approval...

NNPC Ltd’s spokesman, Soneye, explains delay in Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, assures of imminent completion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has acknowledged the challenges...

AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Suffer Shocking 2-1 Loss to Rwanda

Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers...

Tax reform bills: Nigeria struggling with tax-to-GDP ratio below World Bank’s 15 % benchmark – Speaker Abbas

Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed...

Just in: Again, Anambra sit-at-home claims four vigilance operatives, motorcyclist

Gunmen enforcing Monday’s sit-at-home order in Anambra State launched a deadly attack,...

Tinubu departs Abuja for G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on...

Breaking: APC’s Aiyedatiwa in landslide victory, wins all 18 LGAs in Ondo guber poll

The All Progressives Congress Candidate, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has swept the 2024...

Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa votes, says exercise peaceful, PDP raises alarm over thugs invasion

As the Ondo State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, Gov. Lucky...

Late COAS Lagbaja buried in Abuja amid tears, tributes

Amid tears and tributes, the body of the late Chief of Army...

Tinubu appoints Daniel Bwala, Atiku’s ex-spokesman as Special Adviser on Media, three DGs

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Media...

Just in: Body of late COAS Lagbaja arrives in Abuja ahead of Friday burial

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja,...

Tinubu Presides Over Crucial FEC Meeting to Unveil 2025 Budget Plans

The much-anticipated meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is underway with...

Breaking: NNPC Ltd. achieves milestone oil production of 1.8 mbpd

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced a significant...