The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticised the Federal Government’s recent decision to bar candidates under 18 from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.

This move, however, has garnered support from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In an interview with PUNCH, NUT Secretary-General Dr. Mike Ene expressed concern over the policy, arguing that societal changes, such as early enrollment in crèches due to economic pressures, make it unrealistic to impose strict age restrictions on education.

The only way this policy could work is if it’s implemented from the foundation. Things have changed; due to economic pressures, parents enroll their children in crèches early, where they begin learning quickly. You can’t stop them from learning because the brain is structured to keep developing—once learning stops, the brain stagnates.”

He also highlighted the need to consider exceptional students who may be younger but are academically advanced, warning that the policy could lead to legal challenges.

Ene urged the government to reconsider the policy, describing it as poorly conceived and potentially harmful to the educational system.

Recall that during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics,’ the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that the government had reinstated an age policy for secondary school leaving exams, setting the minimum age at 18.

This policy prohibits underage candidates from participating in the WASSCE and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), both of which are essential for progressing to tertiary education.