The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that it has not barred students under the age of 18 from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) among other examinations.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu made the clarification on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja during the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD) celebration.
Dr. Sununu expressed disappointment over the widespread public misinterpretation of remarks made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
He emphasised that the minister’s comments were in reference to the recommended age of entry into tertiary institutions, in line with the 6:3:3:4 system of education, rather than a restriction on sitting for WASSCE or NECO exams.
“It was shocking to say that a university in this country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11, and 12 years. This is totally wrong.
“We are not saying that there are no exceptions; we know we can have talented students that have the IQ of an adult even at age 6 and 7, but these are very few.”
Dr. Sununu explained that while there are rare cases of exceptionally gifted students, a standard guideline must be developed.
“Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO, or any other examination unless at age 18. This is a misconception and misrepresentation of what we have said,” he clarified.
During the event, Sununu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving literacy levels through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027), with a focus on youth and adult literacy.
He also emphasised the importance of using mother tongues as a medium of instruction in fostering understanding and peace, noting, “We must focus on the role of a learner’s first language in becoming literate, which will foster mutual understanding and peace.”
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