No Age Limit for WAEC, NECO Exams, Only UTME Restricted to 18 Years – FG

In a significant clarification, the Federal Government has announced that there is no age restriction for students to sit for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. The earlier reports suggesting a minimum age of 18 for these examinations have been debunked by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu. The government only mandates that candidates must be 18 years of age to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) starting in 2025.

During a press briefing ahead of the 2024 World Literacy Day, Dr. Sununu explained that the confusion stemmed from misinterpretations of previous remarks. He reiterated that the National Policy on Education clearly outlines that children begin primary school at age six and complete their secondary education at age 18, which aligns with the policy for university entry. However, this does not apply to WAEC and NECO, where students of all ages are allowed to participate.

This policy change aligns with the government’s broader commitment to fostering an inclusive education system. Dr. Sununu emphasized that students should begin their learning journey in their mother tongue or the language of their immediate environment for the first three years of primary school before transitioning to English. This approach has been found to enhance learning outcomes.

The 2024 World Literacy Day, themed “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” echoes the government’s commitment to multilingual education and literacy. Prof. Akpama Iboro, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, highlighted the importance of literacy in fostering cultural diversity and mutual understanding.

This decision by the Federal Government is expected to ease concerns among students and parents while upholding the country’s educational standards.

For more information, visit the official announcement here: [Source Link].