The policy, announced by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, mandates that individuals under 18 years old will be barred from participating in National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

Mamman stated that WAEC and NECO have been directed to enforce this 18-year age requirement for exam candidates.

In a response posted on X, Atiku criticized the policy as outdated and detrimental to educational progress in Nigeria.

He argued that the policy represents a regressive step for the country’s educational system and reflects poorly on the current government’s approach to education.

Atiku’s statement read, “Tinubu’s policy on age limits for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages. This policy is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.

It contradicts the principles of federalism and highlights the government’s lack of direction.”

He further noted that the Nigerian constitution allows sub-national governments more authority over education matters, making the federal government’s decree-like action unconstitutional.

Atiku also criticized the government’s failure to address the needs of exceptionally gifted students, deeming it an embarrassment to Nigeria’s intellectual community.

“The best global practices involve allowing regional governments to establish education policies,” Atiku added. “This controversial policy should be universally condemned by anyone who values intellectual freedom and accessibility.”

Education Minister Tahir Mamman announced this policy during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Mamman also revealed that the Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to prevent underage children from sitting for their examinations.

Starting from next year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will enforce the age requirement for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This year, a transitional allowance will be made for younger applicants, but strict adherence to the 18-year age rule will begin in the next academic cycle.

Mamman clarified that this policy is not new but a reinforcement of existing regulations, noting that students typically complete their education by age 17 and a half.

Additionally, WAEC and NECO will no longer permit underage candidates to take their exams, ensuring that only students who have completed the required number of years at each educational level are eligible.

Originally slated for April 20, 2024, the National Common Entrance Examination has been pushed back to June 1, 2024.

Similarly, the Entrance Examination for the Gifted and Talented Children into the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, previously scheduled for May 4, 2024, will now take place on May 25, 2024.

Azeez Sani, the Acting Director of the Directorate of Information and Digital Communication, cited low enrolment figures as the rationale behind the decision.

He emphasized that candidates, parents, guardians, schools, and other stakeholders should take note of the revised examination dates.

Furthermore, Sani clarified that registration for candidates will remain open until the new examination dates.

The Registrar/CEO of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this during the Council’s Productivity Award ceremony held in Minna, Niger State.

In the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for 2022, Asiru Ahmed Opeyemi from Crescent International High School, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, and Obidibo Chioma Blessing were recognized as the best performing male and female candidates.

In 2023, Okafor Chima Christian from Saint Paul Academy, Jos, and Benson Ifebube Chelsea from Renaissance Garden Secondary School, Ago-Okota, Lagos, claimed the top spots.

For the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2022, Akintola Samuel Oluwadaresimi of Apostolic Church College, Sango, Ibadan, and Onochie Chiamada Francis of Igbenedion Educational Centre, Benin, emerged as the best performing students.

In 2023, Ekwueme Ikechukwu Excellent from Kimota Science College, Gboko, and Owuye Faheeza Oluwakemi of Maryland Comprehensive School (Junior), Lagos, secured the top positions.

The National Common Entrance Examination saw Bokare Lemuel Ogheneyobre of Kingskidies Nursery and Primary School, Warri, and Chika Ugu Anastasia from Nana Primary School, Warri, as the best performing candidates.

Additionally, NECO recognized exceptional students in the gifted children category, including Njoku Obinna Adrian of Rosai Kid Montessori School, New Owerri, and Anikwu Princess Kamsiyochukwu from Springfield Academy, Awka.

The ceremony also honored and awarded some NECO staff who demonstrated excellence in their respective areas of duty.

The motion was initiated by Anamero Dekeri, the representative for Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State, who suggested that JAMB, WAEC, and NECO examination bodies provide free registration for the 2023–2024 exams.

Dekeri’s motion aimed to address the financial challenges faced by low-income parents in funding their children’s education, especially when it came to paying for examination fees.

He urged his fellow lawmakers to influence the Ministry of Education to declare the 2023 and 2024 WAEC, NECO, and JAMB registrations as free, allowing the common man to benefit from fuel subsidy removal palliatives.

Additionally, he called for a comprehensive framework from the Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic and Financial Planning to ensure that the less privileged masses felt a sense of belonging in Nigeria.

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere supported the motion by suggesting that members take responsibility for sponsoring examination fees in at least one public secondary school, particularly one they attended. He viewed this as a form of corporate social responsibility.

However, Hassan Doguwa, the representative for Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, cautioned against mandating lawmakers to pay examination fees, although he recognized the motion’s merit.

Another concern arose when Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the representative for Andoni/Opobo Nkoro in Rivers State, questioned the use of the word “compel” in the motion’s title.

He pointed out that the House lacked the constitutional authority to compel examination bodies to provide free registration, and he raised the issue of fairness among public schools in the same constituency.

Ultimately, when the motion went to a vote, the majority of lawmakers present in Wednesday’s plenary chose to set it aside. The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, sealed the decision with a gavel strike, and the motion did not proceed.

The council’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Sani, the exam was delayed so that more candidates could sign up to take it after several stakeholders asked for the registration period to be extended.

The registration for the examination was initially scheduled to close on today, Monday 30th May 2022.

But, the examination agency, Sunday in a statement made available to journalists on Monday morning announced that it has “extended the Registration period of the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination for school-based candidates to midnight of Monday 20th June 2022”.

“State Ministries of Education, Principals, Commandants, and all stakeholders are enjoined to note that there would be no further extension after that.

“The 2022 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination will commence on 27th June 2022, and end on Friday 12th August 2022.

“Candidates are to be examined in 76 subjects during the examination,” the examination body noted.

The exam was earlier slated for 23rd April 2022 and is now fixed for 7th May 2022.

This was contained in a press statement released by the Head Information and Public Relations Division of NECO, Mr Azeez Sani in Minna, Niger State.

According to Sani,” the examination was rescheduled to give states with low registration of candidates the opportunity to register their candidates for the examination.

“All candidates, parents, guardians and relevant stakeholders are therefore enjoined to take note of the new date for the examination.

“The registration of candidates will continue till the new date of the examination,” the statement stated

It further said,”candidates, parents and guardians are advised to download the new Examination Time Table from the Council’s website: www.neco.gov.ng.”.

Wushishi replaces Professor Godswill Obioma who passed away on May 31, 2021.

Professor Wushishi’s appointment was confirmed in a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations Division at NECO and made available to newsmen in Minna on Monday.

According to a statement by Head, Information and Public Relations Division at NECO, Azeez Sani, the new registrar’s appointment, which is for an initial tenure of five years, takes effect from July 12, 2021.

“In a letter dated 16th July 2021 with reference No: FME/PSE/NECO/1078/C.1/3 by Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, the appointment, which is for an initial tenure of five years, takes effect from July 12, 2021.

Professor Wushishi is the first indigene of Niger state to be appointed the substantive Registrar of NECO.

The statement read, “He has held other positions in the education sector, among which are Post Graduate Coordinator, Department of Science Education, Federal University of Technology, Minna; Sub-Dean School of Science and Science Education, FUT, Minna; Head of Department, Department of Science Education, FUT Minna; Head of Department, Department of Science Education, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

“Until his appointment as Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Wushishi was a Professor of Science Education (Chemistry) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

“An erudite scholar, Prof. Wushishi has many scholarly publications to his credit.

“He is married and blessed with children.”