Education Minister Tahir Mamman has announced that underage candidates will no longer be permitted to sit for secondary school leaving examinations in Nigeria.

This directive will apply to both the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) organized by the National Examinations Council (NECO). The new policy stipulates that candidates must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for these exams.

Speaking on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics” program, Mamman clarified that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will also remain at 18 years. He emphasized that this requirement is not a new policy but has been part of existing regulations for a long time. The Federal Government has instructed WAEC and NECO to enforce this age limit strictly.

The minister explained, “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.”

Minister Mamman outlined the expected educational timeline for Nigerian students: early care should last for the first five years, followed by entry into primary school at age six. After completing six years of primary education, students should proceed to junior secondary school at age 12, spend three years there, and then move to senior secondary school at age 15 for another three years. This structured progression would ideally see students ready for university admission by the age of 18.

The decision to enforce these age restrictions aims to align Nigeria’s educational system with global best practices and ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education. The new age requirements will take effect from the next academic cycle, giving parents and students time to adjust to the changes.