Abuja, Nigeria — The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the recent decision by President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government to impose an 18-year minimum age requirement for students taking the NECO and WAEC exams. Atiku described the policy as “absurd” and a significant barrier to educational opportunities, particularly scholarships.
The Federal Government’s new policy was announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program. According to Mamman, the government has directed both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to enforce the age limit for candidates seeking to take the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In a response posted on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, Atiku Abubakar denounced the age limit as a “controversial and outdated” policy that contradicts the principles of intellectual freedom and accessibility. He called for widespread condemnation of the policy by all those who value educational advancement.
“Tinubu’s policy on age limits for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages,” Atiku stated. “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 also criticized the federal government for overstepping its constitutional boundaries by imposing such regulations. He highlighted that education falls under the concurrent list in Nigeria’s federal system, meaning that state governments have a greater role in educational matters than the federal government.
“The Nigerian constitution places education on the concurrent list of schedules, where sub-national governments enjoy more roles above the Federal Government,” he argued. “Therefore, it is extra-constitutional for the federal government to legislate on education like a decree.”
Atiku further emphasized that the most effective global approach to educational regulation is to allow state governments to establish their own laws and policies regarding education. He expressed disappointment that the government’s policy fails to address the needs of gifted students, calling it an “embarrassment to the body of intellectuals in the country.”
“The irony here is that should the federal government play any role in education, it is to set up mechanisms that will identify and grant scholarships to gifted students regardless of their ages,” Atiku added. “This controversial policy belongs in the Stone Ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility.”
The new age limit policy has sparked significant debate across the country, with many educators, parents, and students expressing concern about its potential impact on Nigeria’s educational system. As the controversy continues, stakeholders will be closely watching how the federal government responds to the growing backlash.