The Federal Government has clarified that it has not yet implemented a new education policy restricting the ages of students eligible to write senior school certificate examinations or enter universities. This clarification comes in response to recent public speculation and misunderstanding surrounding the policy.
Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, addressed reporters on Friday during the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD) event. He emphasized that contrary to what some may believe, the government has not prohibited students under 18 years old from taking their senior school certificate examinations. Dr. Sununu noted that recent statements made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, were misunderstood by the public.
On August 25th, Prof. Mamman had announced that the Federal Government instructed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to restrict underage students from writing their exams. However, Dr. Sununu clarified that this instruction was related to the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions, which must be 18 years, as stipulated by Nigeria’s 6:3:3:4 education system.
Dr. Sununu expressed concern over the high number of underage admissions to universities and reiterated that the policy is still under development. He expressed disappointment over the public’s misunderstanding of Prof. Mamman’s statement and stressed that the issue of underage university admissions is being addressed as a work-in-progress.
He said, “We have agreed that we are going to consider it as a work-in-progress. The National Assembly is working and we are also working. It was shocking to say that a university in this country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11, and 12 years.”
The government’s clarification aims to address the confusion and ensure that the public is accurately informed about the status and details of the new education policy.
