FG Clarifies Age Limit for WASSCE, NECO: No Ban on Under-18 Students
By Matthew Eloyi
The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked rumours that students below the age of 18 have been barred from taking the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, made this clarification on Friday in Abuja while addressing journalists at an event marking the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD). He expressed disappointment over the widespread misinterpretation of statements made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, regarding age limits in education.
“There is a misconception. The minister was referring to the 18-year entry age into tertiary institutions, not WASSCE or NECO,” Sununu clarified. He emphasized that the government was reviewing the issue as part of ongoing reforms in the educational system.
“It was shocking to hear that some universities in the country admitted children as young as 10, 11, and 12 years old. This is totally wrong. While there are exceptions for highly gifted children, these are rare cases. We are working on guidelines to ensure fairness without stifling talent,” Sununu added.
He reiterated, “Nobody said children cannot write WAEC or NECO unless they are 18. This is a misrepresentation of our position.”
On International Literacy Day, Sununu highlighted the importance of literacy for mutual understanding, peace, and socio-economic development. He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges through the “Education for Renewed Hope” roadmap (2024-2027), which includes a focus on youth and adult literacy and the use of local languages in education.
Supporting this stance, Prof. Simon Akpama, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult, and Non-formal Education (NMEC), said, “Multilingual education is essential for fostering peace and cultural respect.” UNESCO’s Country Representative, Mr. Diallo Abdourahamane, also emphasized literacy as a fundamental human right.
The 2024 International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on September 8, carries the theme “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
