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Nigerian media mogul, Dele Momodu, has voiced his concerns over the Federal Government’s new policy requiring students to be at least 18 years old before they can sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
The policy, announced on August 26 under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that it could hinder the academic progression of younger, academically gifted students who typically graduate from secondary school by the age of 15 or 16.
Momodu, known for his outspoken views on national issues, highlighted the case of Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman, who, at 17, earned a Ph.D. in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University.
He questioned the logic behind Nigeria’s age restriction, asking why the country would impose such limitations when young people in other parts of the world are achieving academic milestones at earlier ages.
“And the Federal Government via the Ministry of Education is saying Nigerian children should wait till 18 years before they write WAEC, NECO, and JAMB,” Momodu stated on Instagram, highlighting the urgency of re-evaluating this policy.
Critics like Momodu argue that the age restriction could lead to a significant waste of time for young students, potentially delaying their entry into higher education and the job market.
They contend that the policy does not align with global educational standards, where age flexibility often allows gifted students to advance more quickly.
This, they say, is particularly concerning in a country where frequent strikes and job market uncertainties already pose significant challenges to academic and career progression.
