Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Federal Government’s recent decision to impose an 18-year age limit on candidates taking the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams, labeling it as an absurd and regressive policy.
The policy, which is set to take effect from 2025, was announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics.’ Under the new regulation, individuals below 18 years of age will no longer be permitted to sit for these crucial examinations or gain admission into Nigerian higher institutions.
Reacting to the policy on his verified Facebook page, Atiku described it as outdated and akin to something from the “Stone Ages.” He condemned the policy as controversial and called for its universal rejection by those who value intellectual freedom and accessibility.
Atiku argued that the policy is a significant disincentive to scholarship and contradicts the federal system of government practiced in Nigeria, where education is on the concurrent list, giving sub-national governments a larger role than the federal government in educational matters. He asserted that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to unilaterally impose such age restrictions.
The former vice president further criticized the government for not providing accommodations for specially gifted students, calling it an embarrassment to the country’s intellectual community. He stressed that the government’s role should be to support and grant scholarships to gifted students, regardless of their age, rather than restricting their access to education.
Atiku concluded by urging all Nigerians who believe in intellectual freedom to condemn the policy, stating that it belongs in the past and should not be allowed to hinder the nation’s educational progress.
