The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s recent decision to bar under-18 students from taking crucial national exams such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. This policy, reaffirmed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has sparked significant debate, even as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has thrown its support behind the move.
The newly reinforced age restriction, announced on Sunday, sets 18 as the minimum age for candidates to sit for secondary school leaving examinations. Prof. Mamman clarified that the policy, which also applies to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is not new but rather a reiteration of an existing regulation.
Mamman explained that the educational structure in Nigeria typically results in students being 17 and a half years old by the time they complete their secondary education, thereby making 18 the appropriate age for higher education admissions.
However, the NUT has pushed back against this directive. Dr. Mike Ene, Secretary-General of the NUT, argued that societal changes, such as early enrollment in educational programs due to economic pressures, have made it impractical to restrict educational progression based on age alone.
Ene pointed out that the policy fails to consider exceptional students who may be younger but are academically advanced. He warned that the age restriction could lead to legal challenges and urged the government to reconsider the policy, labeling it as poorly conceived.
“The only way this policy could work is if it’s implemented from the foundation,” Ene noted. He emphasized that many students now start their education earlier than in the past, often excelling and advancing quickly. “You can’t stop them from learning because the brain is structured to keep developing—once learning stops, the brain stagnates.”
Similarly, the National President of ASUP, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, suggested that the decision to allow students under 18 to sit for exams should be based on their abilities rather than age alone. He also urged the government to focus on more pressing issues, such as improving school infrastructure, providing functional equipment, and enhancing teachers’ welfare, instead of enforcing age-related restrictions on examinations.
Despite the backlash, Prof. Mamman reiterated that the policy will be strictly enforced starting next year, with 2024 serving as a grace period for underage students currently seeking university admission.
