Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to set an 18-year age limit for students taking the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
Atiku called the policy “absurd” and a significant barrier to educational opportunities.
The controversy began after the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that starting in 2025, students under the age of 18 would no longer be eligible to sit for the NECO and WAEC exams.
This directive also extends to university admissions, where applicants below 18 years will be barred from entering Nigerian higher institutions.
Atiku expressed his disapproval on his verified Facebook page, describing the policy as outdated and likening it to something from the “Stone Age.” He argued that such a regulation is counterproductive to the pursuit of academic excellence and could hinder the educational advancement of gifted students.
“The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limits for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship,” Atiku stated.
Atiku further criticized the Tinubu administration for implementing a policy that he believes conflicts with the principles of federalism. He added, “The policy runs foul of the notion of delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government such as we are practicing and gives a graphic impression of how the Tinubu government behaves like a lost sailor on a high sea.”.
Atiku also pointed out that the Nigerian constitution places education on the concurrent list, allowing state governments more authority in educational matters than the Federal Government.
He questioned the federal government’s role in imposing such restrictions, stating, “It is extra-constitutional for the Federal Government to legislate on education like a decree.”
Moreover, Atiku expressed disappointment in the government’s lack of provisions for exceptionally gifted students. He argued that the government should instead focus on creating opportunities for talented students to excel, regardless of their age.
He noted, “The irony here is that should the Federal Government play any role in education, it is to set up mechanisms that will identify and grant scholarships to gifted students, not minding their ages before applying for admission into tertiary institutions.”
Atiku’s remarks have sparked a debate among educational stakeholders and the general public, with many agreeing that the policy could have unintended negative consequences on the nation’s education system.
He concluded, “This controversial policy belongs in the Stone Ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility.”