18-Year Age Limit For NECO, WASSCE Exams Faces Backlash From Atiku – FG

18-Year Age Limit For NECO, WASSCE Exams Faces Backlash From Atiku – FG

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to enforce an 18-year age limit for candidates sitting for NECO and WASSCE exams, describing it as absurd and a barrier to scholarships.

This controversial policy was recently announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics.’ The policy mandates that only individuals aged 18 and above can participate in these national examinations, which serve as prerequisites for tertiary education in Nigeria.

In response, Atiku took to his verified Facebook page to condemn the policy, labeling it as outdated and a hindrance to academic progress. He argued that such a regulation belongs in the Stone Ages and should be universally condemned by anyone who values intellectual freedom and accessibility.

Atiku further criticized the Federal Government for overstepping its constitutional boundaries, as education is listed on the concurrent list, allowing state governments to establish their own education laws and regulations. He emphasized that the best global practice is to allow sub-national governments to manage educational policies tailored to their specific needs.

The former Vice President also pointed out the irony in the government’s stance, noting that while announcing this policy, they admitted having no provisions for specially gifted students. This, he said, portrays Nigeria as a country that does not appreciate its gifted students, which is an embarrassment to the intellectual community.

Atiku called for the policy to be scrapped and urged the government to instead focus on identifying and supporting gifted students, regardless of age, by providing them with scholarships and other opportunities to excel in their academic pursuits.