Nigerian Government has declared that starting next year, candidates under the age of 18 will no longer be eligible to take the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman noted that this decision was made to align with the country’s education policy, which requires a minimum age of 18 for admission.
Mamman, during an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, explained that the federal government has decided to allow students to take the JAMB examination this year as a form of advance notice to parents for the changes that will take effect next year.
“Nothing has changed. It is still 18 years. What we did at the JAMB meeting was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that, this year JAMB will admit students below 18 years.
“But from next year, JAMB will insist anybody going to apply to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy. This is a policy that has been there for a long time. And basically, if you compute the number of years learners are supposed to be in school, the number you end up with is 17 and a half. From daycare to primary school, then secondary school, you will end up with 17 and half. And by the time, the school Is ready for admission, you have the age,” Mamman said.
Also, the Minister announced that students who have not completed the required minimum number of years in school will be exempted from participating in both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
He emphasised that a child must spend a minimum of 17 and a half years in daycare, primary, and secondary school before being allowed to write these exams for university admission.
Mamman clarified that this policy change is not about the age of the students, but rather the number of years spent at each level of education.
“We are not actually coming up with new policies contrary to what some people are saying. We are just reminding people of what is existing. In any case, NECO and WAEC will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations. In other words, if somebody has not spent the required number of years in that particular level of study, will not be allowed either NECO or WAEC.
“It’s not a matter of age. It’s a matter of the years spent at each level of education,” Mamman added.
He also stated that exceptionally bright students may be given opportunities to demonstrate their intelligence, similar to practices in other countries. However, he noted that the challenge lies in preventing exploitation by the majority of students seeking admission to higher institutions.
“At the moment, this is what we have. But it’s very legitimate to appeal and look at that window of how do we care for our smart children. And this is a conversation for another day. Other countries do similar things.
“They have age specifications for each level of education. But again, they look at the possibilities of smart children. A lot of times in Nigeria, what sometimes is a widow eventually becomes a door,” Mamman noted.