The Nigerian government has clarified that there is no age limit for candidates taking the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, addressed this issue on Friday during an event for the 2024 International Literacy Day in Abuja, stating that recent comments by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, were misinterpreted.
Previously, Mr. Mamman had mentioned on a television program that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) would no longer permit underage children to sit for the exams. He explained that under Nigerian law, students must complete one year of early childhood education, six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary school, and three years of senior secondary school, suggesting that this creates an expectation for candidates to be at least 17 and a half years old.
However, Mr. Sununu emphasized that the ministry has not barred students younger than 18 from taking the SSCE. He asserted that Mr. Mamman’s comments were about the age requirement for entering tertiary institutions, as outlined in the country's 6:3:3:4 education system. Sununu clarified, "No child will be denied the opportunity to write WAEC, NECO, or any other examination based on age. This is a misconception."