A prominent leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the implementation of a proposed policy by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, that would bar students under the age of 18 from taking the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
In a statement released to journalists on Thursday, Mumuni expressed grave concerns about the potential negative consequences of such a policy, warning that it could drastically reduce access to education, increase school dropout rates, and exacerbate social problems in the country.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, had reportedly stated that candidates must be at least 18 years old before being admitted into tertiary institutions and that examination bodies had been instructed to enforce this age restriction.
However, Mumuni, in a statement signed by his media aide Rasheed Abubakar, advised President Tinubu to intervene and prevent the policy from being implemented, arguing that it would have detrimental effects on both students and society at large.
“This policy will reduce access to educational opportunities,” Mumuni said.
“Restricting students under 18 from participating in WASSCE could hinder their progression in the education system, delaying their transition to higher education or vocational training.
It will also increase school dropout rates, as young students who feel unable to take the examinations may lose motivation to continue their education.”
Mumuni further warned that the policy could delay students’ career aspirations and lead to increased stress and anxiety among the youth.
He emphasized the need for policymakers to balance educational standards with accessibility, allowing all students to pursue their academic and professional goals without undue barriers.
“Students who are set to enter SSS3 next month would have to wait three years to write the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME),” Mumuni noted, adding that this could push parents, guardians, and students towards falsifying documents to meet the age requirement.
Mumuni concluded by urging the government to consider the broader implications of the policy on Nigeria’s future workforce and economy.
“Overall, government policies that prevent students under the age of 18 from writing the WASSCE can have far-reaching negative effects on individuals and society.
It is crucial for policymakers to balance educational standards with accessibility, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals without undue limitations,” he stated.
