No age limits for WAEC, NECO exams – FG clarifies

Federal Government has announced that there is no age limit for candidates wishing to take the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams.

This clarification comes after confusion arose from reports suggesting a minimum age requirement.

During a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Education, addressed the issue, explaining that the focus has been on setting an age requirement for UTME, as outlined by the National Policy on Education.

This policy recommends that children begin primary school at age six and complete their education by 18.

“Contrary to recent reports, there has been no age restriction imposed on WAEC and NECO exams. The only age limit being implemented is for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and university entry, starting from 2025.”

“Neither I nor Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, ever stated there would be an age limit for WAEC or NECO,” Sununu clarified.

Sununu linked this clarification to the 2024 World Literacy Day theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

He emphasized the importance of mother-tongue education and linguistic diversity in creating effective learning environments.

Prof. Akpama Iboro, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, supported Sununu’s views, highlighting the significance of multilingual literacy and the Commission’s efforts to tackle the challenges of multilingual education in Nigeria.