Federal Government Clarifies No Ban on Under-18s for WAEC, NECO Exams
Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, clarified on Friday, September 6, 2024, that there has been no official ban on students under 18 from participating in these exams.
Binye-lum 
The Federal Ministry of Education has addressed recent misconceptions regarding the eligibility of under-18 students to write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, clarified on Friday, September 6, 2024, that there has been no official ban on students under 18 from participating in these exams.
Sununu, speaking in Abuja at an event marking International Literacy Day, emphasized that the confusion stemmed from remarks made by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, concerning the 18-year age requirement for tertiary institution entry under the 6:3:3:4 education system. Sununu stressed that while there are concerns about very young students being admitted to universities, the policy does not restrict under-18s from taking WAEC and NECO exams.
The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing literacy issues and outlined plans for enhancing youth and adult literacy through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027). The day’s events also highlighted the importance of multilingual education and well-trained educators in promoting literacy.
