Federal Government’s Under-18 Exam Ban Sparks Debate Between ASUU and NUT

In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Federal Government of Nigeria has banned candidates under the age of 18 from sitting for major secondary school leaving examinations, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO). The policy has drawn mixed reactions, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) condemning the decision, while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced its support.

Announcing the policy on a recent episode of Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics,’ Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that the minimum age for taking WASSCE and SSCE exams will now be 18. He also stated that this policy is not new but rather a reinforcement of existing regulations. “We are not coming up with a new policy, contrary to what some people are saying; we are simply reminding people of what is existing,” Mamman noted.

The Minister elaborated on the expected academic progression for Nigerian students, emphasizing that by the time students complete senior secondary school, they should naturally be around 18 years old. He added that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will also enforce this age limit starting in 2025, allowing this year’s admissions to proceed under the old rules.

However, the NUT has expressed strong opposition to the policy. Dr. Mike Ene, Secretary-General of NUT, argued that societal changes, such as the early enrollment of children in educational institutions, make it impractical to impose age-based restrictions on academic progress. He warned that the policy could lead to legal challenges and urged the government to reconsider.

On the other hand, ASUU has largely supported the age restriction, with its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, asserting that students should follow the standard academic progression and that the rush to enter university at a young age should be discouraged.

The debate has also drawn in other education stakeholders. The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Shammah Kpanja, criticized the policy as unrealistic, suggesting that student abilities should determine exam eligibility rather than age. Meanwhile, WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dagnut, emphasized that the government has the authority to regulate education and that WAEC would comply with the new policy.

The policy has even raised concerns about its potential impact on Nigeria’s educational system, with the National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Mallam Musa Ibrahim, supporting the government’s decision. He argued that the policy would help address emotional maturity issues among students and reduce vulnerability to negative influences in universities.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities is expected to discuss the policy in September, signaling that the debate is far from over.