The National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are still open to pupils under the age of eighteen, according to the Federal Ministry of Education.
Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, clarified this on Friday in Abuja while speaking to media during the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD) celebration.
Dr. Sununu voiced dissatisfaction over the public’s widespread misreading of comments made by Prof. Tahir Mamman, the minister of education.
He made it clear that the minister’s remarks did not prohibit taking the WASSCE or NECO exam; rather, they related to the suggested age of admission to postsecondary institutions in accordance with the 6:3:3:4 educational system.
He declared, “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.”
Although there are a few extremely gifted students, Dr. Sununu clarified that a uniform set of guidelines needs to be created.
“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.
With an emphasis on child and adult literacy, Sununu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to raising literacy levels during the event by implementing the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024–2027).
Additionally, he emphasized the value of teaching in mother tongues as a means of promoting harmony and understanding, pointing forth
We must focus on the role of a learner’s first language in becoming literate, which will foster mutual understanding and peace.”
