Starting next year, students applying to universities in Nigeria will have to meet a new age requirement. The Federal Government, through Education Minister Tahir Mamman, announced that all students must now be at least 18 years old to take key secondary school exams and apply to universities.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the minister explained that students under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to sit for important exams like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). These exams, administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), are essential for students who want to move on to higher education.
This age limit will also apply to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Students must be 18 or older to sit for this exam, which is required for university admission in Nigeria.
The government’s decision to set this minimum age is aimed at ensuring that students are mature enough for the rigors of university education. This policy change will affect students nationwide, especially those who might have finished secondary school at a younger age.
He said;
“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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time. Even basically if you compute the number of years pupils, and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.
“So, we are not coming up with new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing. In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations. In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years in that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination.”
As this new rule takes effect, students, parents, and educators will need to plan accordingly to ensure that they meet the new requirements.
