Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized the Federal Ministry of Education’s new policy setting an age limit of 18 for participation in National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.
Atiku labeled the policy as “absurd” and “a disincentive to scholarship.”
The policy, announced by Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, mandates that WAEC and NECO enforce the age restriction.
According to Mamman, this directive aims to prevent those under 18 from taking the exams.
In response to this, Atiku took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, denouncing the policy as outdated and detrimental to Nigeria’s education system.
He stated, “Tinubu’s policy on age limit for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages.”
He further criticized the policy, arguing it undermines educational opportunities and reflects poorly on the government’s approach to educational reform.
“The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limits for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship,” Atiku asserted.
Atiku highlighted that the Nigerian constitution places education under the concurrent list, suggesting that sub-national governments should have the primary role in education regulation.
He lamented the policy’s failure to address the needs of specially gifted students and argued that the federal government should focus on creating mechanisms to support such students rather than imposing restrictive regulations.
“This controversial policy belongs in the Stone Ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility,” Atiku concluded.
