The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed strong opposition to the Federal Government’s decision to ban candidates under the age of 18 from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.
The policy, recently reaffirmed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, aims to set the minimum age for secondary school leaving examinations at 18 years, aligning with existing laws.
Prof. Mamman clarified that the age restriction is not a new policy but a long-standing requirement that has been overlooked. He emphasized that students should complete their education at appropriate ages, with the minimum age for university admission set at 18 years. The minister noted that this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) would still allow candidates under 18, but from 2025, all candidates must be at least 18 years old.
The NUT, however, criticized the policy, arguing that societal changes have made it unrealistic to restrict learning based on age.
Secretary-General of NUT, Dr. Mike Ene highlighted that economic pressures lead parents to enroll their children in school at an early age, making the policy impractical. He also warned that the policy could lead to legal challenges, especially for exceptional students who advance academically at a younger age.
In contrast, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) supported the policy.
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, National President of ASUU, stated that children should follow the standard academic progression, entering university at 18 years. He questioned the rush to send younger children to university, stressing the importance of emotional maturity alongside academic readiness.
Other education stakeholders, including the All-Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), also supported the policy, citing concerns about the emotional maturity of younger students and their vulnerability to negative influences in university settings.
The policy has sparked a national debate, with various educational bodies divided on its implications for Nigeria’s educational system.
