THE Minister of State for Education, Yussuf Sununu, has denied claims that there is an age limit for candidates taking secondary school exams like West African Examination Council and National Examination Council exams.
He clarified this during the international literacy day ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Sununu also stated that exceptions may be made for underage students applying to federal higher institutions if they are considered exceptional, based on criteria currently being developed by the ministry.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had some days back said that individuals under 18 years would no longer be allowed to take part in National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams.
He had said that the Federal Government has directed WAEC and NECO to enforce the 18-year age requirements for candidates seeking to take their exams.
The Minister’s statement had generated reactions from Nigerians, with many condemning the policy.
However, fielding questions from journalists on Friday, Sununu said that the public misconceived and misinterpreted what was said by Prof. Mamman.
According to him, the minister was speaking on the 18 years of entry age into the tertiary institutions which he said will begin in 2025.
“Nobody among the two of us stated anything about age foe WAEC, NECO examinations, that was not mentioned.
“But people just implied to say that this is what it means. All we mentioned is about age of entry or admission into the university,” Sununu said.