The Impact of Nigeria’s New Age Policy on WAEC, NECO, and JAMB Examinations

Early this year, the Nigerian government reinforced an existing policy that requires students to be at least 18 years old before they can sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO) exams, or apply for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. This policy, set to take full effect in 2025, aims to standardize the educational timeline across Nigeria and ensure that students are emotionally and intellectually prepared for the demands of tertiary education

The Nigerian educational sector, a crucial driver of national growth and development, is currently undergoing a significant transformation following the government’s introduction of a new policy that sets the minimum age for university admission at 18. This policy, which takes effect from the 2025 admission cycle, was established to address growing concerns about the readiness of younger students for the academic and social demands of tertiary education.

The new policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old before being admitted to Nigerian universities was driven by several factors tied to the structure and challenges of the country’s education system.

Here’s a breakdown of the reasons behind the policy and its potential effects on the sector:

Reasons Behind the Policy:

1. Educational Maturity and Readiness: The policy aims to address concerns about the maturity and preparedness of younger students entering university environments. Under the old system, many students, sometimes as young as 15 or 16, were admitted into universities. The government believes these students lack the emotional and intellectual maturity to handle the independent and demanding nature of university life. According to Education Minister Tahir Mamman, younger students often struggle with the transition from a highly structured secondary school environment to a more autonomous and challenging university setting.
2. Parental Pressure: Another factor cited by the government is the pressure parents place on their children to enter universities as early as possible. This has led to students rushing through their education, often without fully grasping the knowledge and life skills needed to succeed at the tertiary level. The government wants to slow this process down, ensuring that students are mentally and emotionally ready for higher education​.
3. Alignment with the National Education Structure: The policy aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system, which prescribes six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school, and a minimum of four years of tertiary education. The system is designed so that most students will be around 18 years old by the time they complete their secondary education, making this the ideal age for university admission.

Potential Effects on the Nigerian Educational Sector:

There are several potential benefits to this policy. First, it ensures that students entering university are better prepared for the rigors of higher education. Older students are more likely to have developed the critical thinking and emotional resilience needed to navigate the challenges of university life. Moreover, this policy is expected to reduce the burden on universities by limiting the influx of younger, less prepared students.
It also promotes vocational training as an alternative for those not immediately pursuing university, helping to address the broader issue of youth unemployment.
However, the policy also has its drawbacks. Delaying university entry for students who excel academically at a younger age could stifle their potential and slow their educational progress. Additionally, it may create a bottleneck in secondary schools, as students waiting to meet the age requirement might remain in the system longer than necessary.
Overall, while the policy aims to improve the quality of education in Nigeria, its full impact on both students and institutions will unfold in the coming years.