The Nigerian government has announced that starting next year, candidates under the age of 18 will no longer be permitted to take the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. This directive also applies to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which will maintain an 18-year age limit.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that this policy has been in place for some time and is not a new introduction. He explained that the 9-3-4 education system in Nigeria, which includes early child care, primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary school, typically results in students being 17.5 years old by the time they are ready for university admission.
Implications and Recommendations
While this policy aims to address the challenges posed by underage admissions and graduations, which have negatively impacted the quality of education in Nigeria, it may cause inconvenience for some students who are currently in school.
To help students cope with the new age requirement, parents and guardians can consider the following recommendations:

1. Enroll children in pre-secondary school lessons to keep them engaged and prepare them for the upcoming exams.

2. Register children in vocational training programs such as hairdressing, plumbing, or other trades of interest. This will not only keep them occupied but also provide them with valuable skills for their future.

Implementing these recommendations, parents and guardians can ensure that their children are well-prepared and have a smooth transition to the next stage of their education, despite the new age requirement for secondary school exams in Nigeria.