Key stakeholders in the education sector have criticized the Federal Government’s decision to set 18 as the minimum age for students to sit for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), arguing that this move will hinder progress in the sector.
These reactions follow a statement by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, who announced that starting in 2025, students under 18 will be ineligible to take the SSCE. Without passing this exam, students cannot gain admission to tertiary institutions. Among those voicing concerns were representatives from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Parents/Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and a member of the non-governmental organization, Concerned Parents and Educators Network (CPE).
Mamman, during a television appearance on Sunday night, hinted at the new policy. Nigeria’s education system follows the 6-3-3-4 structure, where children start school at age six, spending six years each in primary and secondary education. By the end of secondary school, students are typically around 18, though many graduate earlier, often at 16 or younger, due to accelerated progression. In July, the Ministry of Education introduced a policy mandating 18 as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, with an exception for the 2024 cycle, allowing candidates as young as 16. Mamman emphasized that younger students will no longer be permitted to take the SSCE.
The Education Minister was asked about the current minimum age for university admission, to which he responded, “It is 18 years.” He explained that during a meeting with JAMB, it was agreed to permit underage candidates this year as a form of notice to parents. However, from next year, JAMB will require all university applicants to meet the age requirement of 18.
Mamman clarified that this policy isn’t new and wasn’t initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “This policy has existed for a long time. If you calculate the expected years of schooling, students should be around 17 and a half years old by the time they graduate,” he explained. He further stated that NECO and WAEC will no longer allow underage students to take their exams. “If a student hasn’t spent the required number of years at a certain educational level, they will not be allowed to sit for these exams,” Mamman said. When questioned about the minimum age for SSCE, the minister noted that it’s not about age but the years spent at each educational level.
The minister highlighted that students are expected to spend five years in early childhood care, beginning primary school at age six and finishing by age 12. Junior and senior secondary school together take six years. Mamman blamed parents for pushing their children into educational pursuits they are too young to fully understand. He reiterated that this stance aligns with the federal government’s 6-3-3-4 educational policy.
In theory, the minister’s position is justified, as 18 is considered the age of maturity under the Constitution, and the university environment is designed for mature students. However, the NUT expressed concerns that this policy will negatively impact education. The Secretary General of the NUT, Dr. Mike Ene, criticized the government’s decision, stating that it could have adverse effects on the sector.
“One positive aspect is that our minister is both a lecturer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, so we hope the policy will endure. However, they should reconsider this decision. Such a significant change shouldn’t be made without extensive consultation,” Ene said. He added that as a member of the National Council on Education (NCE), he wasn’t aware of this matter being discussed at their last meeting in Lagos earlier this year. “The NCE, which includes ministers, state education commissioners, the NUT, and bodies like WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and UBEC, should have deliberated on this. What will happen to gifted children? Yes, traditionally, students started school at age six, but some still graduated from secondary school before 18,” Ene continued. He pointed out that nowadays, children start school earlier, often entering nursery school by age three, and consequently, many complete secondary education before turning 18, some even as young as 16. “What will these students do during the gap years? The devil finds work for idle hands,” he cautioned.
When reminded that the minister and other policy supporters cited student maturity as a justification, Ene acknowledged this but noted that circumstances have changed. “In the past, students were required to touch their ears to prove they were six before starting school. Now, both parents often work to support their families, leading them to enroll their children in school at a younger age. And what about the gifted ones? This policy seems to hold back a segment of the country. In many regions, children start school early,” he added.
Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, Deputy National President of NAPTAN, was blunt in his response to Vanguard, stating that the organization plans to challenge the policy in court. “We have consulted with lawyers who advised us to wait until 2025. If the government doesn’t drop the policy before WAEC and other bodies begin conducting SSCE next year, we will take legal action. This policy will stifle education in the country, quash the aspirations of parents wanting to educate their children, and ultimately harm the education sector. They should maintain the policy at 16 years. The world is changing, and we must adapt. What do they expect those who graduate before 18 to do? This policy is out of touch with current realities,” Ogunbanjo concluded.