The Federal Government has clarified that there is no age restriction for sitting for the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations, contrary to recent reports suggesting a minimum age of 18 years.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, made the clarification in Abuja on Friday while briefing journalists on activities to herald the 2024 World Literacy Day with the theme: “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
Dr. Sununu stated, “We have made ourselves clear in different fora, but the issue kept recurring. Nobody among us, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, nor the Minister of State, stated anything about the age limit for WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. People just pick up some remarks the Minister made, misinterpreted the statements to imply that age restriction has been placed for WAEC and NECO examinations.”
He further explained, “What we have been mentioning in the past was the entry age for university, candidates sitting for the UTME. We have made this clear several times, and this is in line with the National Policy on Education.”
Dr. Sununu added, “The document stated that a child is expected to enter Primary School at six years, and he’s expected to spend six years in that school making it 12 years, three years each in junior and senior secondary schools, making it 18 years. That’s what is contained in the National Policy on Education document.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Prof. Akpama Iboro, said the commemorative event resonates deeply with the values and goals of the Commission.
Prof. Iboro stated, “Literacy in a multilingual world transcends the ability to read and write in a single language; it encompasses the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and linguistic heritage that characterizes our nation and the world at large and reminds us that every language is a vessel of culture, knowledge, and wisdom.”
He added, “The Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting literacy across all regions of our country, recognising the unique challenges that come with multilingual education, especially in a diverse nation where hundreds of languages are spoken.”
