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In a response posted on X, Atiku criticized the policy as outdated and detrimental to educational progress in Nigeria.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

This is as the exam body announced the release of the 2024 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.

Out of the 1,805,216 candidates who took the exam from 25,126 secondary schools across Nigeria, 1,685,889 (93.39%) have had all their papers released.

However, 119,327 candidates (6.61%) still have some subjects under processing.

This is a notable improvement from the 16.29% of results withheld in the 2023 WASSCE for school candidates, marking a 4.37% decrease.

In terms of performance, 1,332,089 candidates (73.79%) achieved credit and above in at least five subjects, while 1,301,941 candidates (72.12%) obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This reflects a 7.69% decrease from the 79.81% pass rate recorded in 2023.

The announcement was made via a post on X on Monday, August 12, 2024.

How to Check Your WAEC Result

Online:

1. Visit the WAEC official results checker website: WAEC Result Checker.
2. Enter your 10-digit WAEC Examination Number.
3. Input the 4 digits of your Examination Year (e.g., 2024).
4. Select the Type of Examination.
5. Enter the e-PIN Voucher Number.
6. Input the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your e-PIN.
7. Click Submit and wait for your results to appear.

Via SMS:

1. Type WAECExaminationnumberPIN*Examyear (no spaces).
2. Send the text to 32327.
3. You will receive an instant message with your WAEC statement of result.

This SMS service is available only for MTN, Glo, and Airtel subscribers. Repeat the steps if you do not receive your result, and be aware that SMS charges will apply.

During a press conference in Lagos, Dangut disclosed that the examination is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, January 31, to Saturday, February 17, 2024, across Nigeria.

The move to a computer-based model was announced in November 2023, with the Council facing some initial resistance to the innovation.

Dangut acknowledged the initial skepticism but noted that the acceptance of the computer-based model is evident in the number of entries received. Out of the total candidates registered, 3,949 are male, representing 47.66%, and 4,336 are female, representing 52.3%.

The examination will cover 19 subjects, with a total of 26 papers to be conducted in a hybrid mode. In this mode, objective or multiple-choice questions will be presented on-screen, and candidates must provide their responses on the screen.

Essay and practical questions will also be presented on-screen, but candidates will use answer booklets to submit their responses.

Dangut urged candidates to visit WAEC’s e-learning portal for materials demonstrating the requirements for the CB-WASSCE.

He emphasized the collaboration with education authorities, security agencies, and stakeholders to ensure the successful and credible conduct of the examination.

The mock examination slated for January 23 to 24, is open to all prospective candidates as noted by the Ag. Head, Public Affairs, WAEC national office, Lagos, Moyosola Adesina.

Part of the release signed by her read: “WAEC has scheduled a free Mock Examination for all the prospective candidates for the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024- First Series which starts on Wednesday, 31st January 2024.

“The mock examination will be held on the 23rd and 24th of January, 2024. Candidates are expected to log on to the mockcbt.waec.org.ng portal from their mobile phones or personal computers to take the examination. The mock examination portal will be accessible all day, for the two days. Candidates would be allowed to access the mock examination page a second time if the first attempt fails.

“Information containing login details of registered candidates will be sent to their respective email addresses and phone numbers as soon as registration closes.

“Also, a link to the tutorial video on how to use the examination portal will be made available on all our social media platforms.

“WAEC wishes all candidates for the examination success and a wonderful experience.”

The announcement, made in a statement from the Public Affairs Department and signed by Moyosola F. Adesina, the Ag. Head Public Affairs WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, outlines that the new examination approach will commence with the WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024—First Series, scheduled for February 2024.

According to the statement, the Computer Based Examination (CBE) will feature fully digital Objective Tests, while the Essay and Test of Practical papers will adopt a hybrid format.

In this hybrid approach, examination questions will be presented on screens, and candidates will be required to provide written answers on answer booklets.

The statement also assures that the computer-based examination will take place in urban centers and cities, with provisions made for candidates with special needs.

The registration process for the computer-based WASSCE for Private Candidates is set to begin on Monday, December 18, 2023, aligning with global best practices in education assessment.

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 stated that it was able to surmount challenges of insecurity, and cash policy among others, via technological innovation that saw over 91 percent of candidates’ results released 44 days after the examination ended.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said this at a briefing on Monday, at the body’s national office, Yaba, Lagos.

For the students who will be checking results, here are steps to follow.

Step 1: Type WAECExaminationnumberPIN*Examyear through your phone (there should not be a space in between).

Step 2: Send to 32327.

Step 3: You will receive a message instantly containing your WAEC statement of result.

It should be noted that only MTN, Glo and Airtel subscribers can actually check their WAEC results using this SMS method.

Students can repeat the step if they do not receive your WAEC result via SMS, kindly repeat this step again.

SMS charges will be applied when checking your WASSCE result using text messages.

You will need to have purchased the WAEC Direct Scratch card in order to check your result via text message. The scratch card pin is what is needed in the PIN section of the SMS you will send to 32327.

Candidates who registered for the May/June examination can do also access their results through the portal of WAEC.

Despite facing obstacles such as security concerns and financial policies, the Council successfully overcame these challenges through technological advancements.

This resulted in the release of over 91 percent of candidates’ results within a mere 44 days after the conclusion of the examination.

Mr. Patrick Areghan, the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria Office, made this announcement during a briefing held on Monday at the organization’s national office located in Yaba, Lagos.

His word: “Gentlemen of the media, with joy in my heart and gratitude to God Almighty, I, on behalf of the Registrar to Council, the Management and Staff of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Nigeria, welcome you to this press briefing to announce the release of the results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, for school candidates, 2023 in Nigeria.

“Out of a total of 1,613,733 candidates that sat for the examination, the results of 262,803 candidates are being withheld due to reports of cases of examination malpractice.”

Mr. Areghan explained that out of the total of 1,613,733 candidates that sat the examination, 1,361,608 candidates, representing 84.38%, obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects, with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics.

He added that 1,287,920 candidates, representing 79.81%, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.