Education Minister Announces Age Restrictions for NECO, WAEC Exams

Education Minister Reveals Age Range Qualified To Write NECO, WAEC Exams.

In a recent announcement, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman stated that candidates below 18 years of age will no longer be permitted to sit for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) secondary school leaving examinations. This policy update was shared during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

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Mamman emphasized that the Federal Government has instructed both WAEC, which administers the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which organizes the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), to enforce the new age requirement. According to the minister, only candidates who are 18 years or older will be eligible to take these examinations.

Additionally, Mamman clarified that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains at 18 years. He explained that while JAMB will admit students below this age for the current year, starting next year, the age requirement will be strictly enforced. This change aims to align with existing policies rather than introduce new regulations.

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Mamman outlined the educational timeline, stating that from early child care through to senior secondary school, students typically reach the age of 18 by the time they are ready for university. This schedule includes five years of early child care, six years in primary school starting at age six, three years in junior secondary school starting at age 12, and three years in senior secondary school starting at age 15.

The minister concluded by reiterating that NECO and WAEC will henceforth ensure that only candidates who have spent the appropriate number of years at each educational level will be allowed to sit for their exams.