Education Minister Clarifies No Ban on Under-18s for WAEC and NECO Exams

 

The Federal Ministry of Education has confirmed that there is no restriction preventing students under 18 from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, addressed the issue during a press conference in Abuja, emphasizing that recent public misconceptions stemmed from misinterpretations of earlier statements made by Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

Sununu stated, “Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO or any other examination unless at age 18,” clarifying that the focus was on the age of entry into tertiary institutions. He expressed disappointment over the confusion and reiterated that exceptionally gifted students could still sit for these exams regardless of age. The minister's comments were made during the celebration of the 2024 International Literacy Day, where he also highlighted the government's commitment to improving literacy across Nigeria.