Olota of Ota Opposes Federal Ban on Under-18s Taking WASSCE and NECO Exams

Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota, Ogun State, has criticized the Federal Government’s proposal to ban students under 18 from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. He made this statement during the 15th Anniversary of Adedokun International Schools at Iyana-Iyesi Multipurpose, Ota, Ogun.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced the proposed ban on August 25. Obalanlege argued that such a restriction would limit the potential of Nigerian children and hinder their ability to compete globally. He advised the government to adopt international best practices to enhance the country’s education standards.

During the event, Obalanlege congratulated Mr. Niyi Adedokun, the founder of Adedokun International Schools, and encouraged him to establish more schools across the state. Adedokun expressed gratitude to the Olota of Ota and presented him with an award for his support in overcoming challenges during the school’s construction.

Dr. Mike Fatukasi, the school’s principal, highlighted the institution’s achievements over its 15-year history, noting its ranking among the top 25 secondary schools in Nigeria. Mrs. Patience Evans-Osabuohien, Chairperson of the Parents-Teacher Association, also urged the government to reconsider the age limit decision, warning that it could lead to increased crime rates by pushing under-18 students into bad gangs.

The event concluded with awards presented to long-serving staff and individuals who contributed to the school’s development. Adedokun International Schools, which began operations in September 2009 with 50 students, has since expanded to four campuses in Sango-Ota.