Abuja, Sept. 6, 2024 (TheGavel): The Federal Ministry of Education has firmly clarified its stance, dispelling widespread misinformation regarding the eligibility of students under the age of 18 to sit for national examinations like the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
In a statement made during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, stated unequivocally that students who are below 18 years old are not barred from writing these crucial exams. His comments came as part of an event commemorating the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD), where he addressed concerns that had sparked confusion among parents, students, and education stakeholders across the country.
Sununu expressed his disappointment over the public misinterpretation of recent statements made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, regarding the appropriate age for tertiary education admissions. He noted that Mamman’s comments were related specifically to the recommended age for university entry, not to the eligibility for secondary school exams such as WASSCE and NECO.
“The public’s misunderstanding of what the Honourable Minister said is highly disappointing,” Sununu said. “The Minister was addressing the entry age for tertiary institutions, which is in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system. This system allows students to complete six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary, three years in senior secondary, and four years in tertiary institutions, ideally making them 18 by the time they seek university admission.”
He elaborated that there was no policy stopping students from writing their final secondary school exams at a younger age, as long as they are prepared. “Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO, or any other examination unless they are 18. This is a misconception and a misrepresentation of what we said.”
One of the key issues Sununu highlighted was the growing trend of universities admitting children as young as 10 or 11 years old, a practice he deemed problematic. “We were shocked to discover that some universities in this country have given admission to children as young as 10, 11, and 12 years. This is totally wrong and against the spirit of proper intellectual and emotional development,” he said.
Sununu acknowledged that while there are rare cases of exceptionally gifted children with the intellectual maturity of adults at a young age, these cases should remain exceptions. “We are not saying that there are no exceptions. We know that some talented students can have the IQ of an adult even at age 6 or 7, but these are very few.”
To address such exceptions, Sununu stated that the ministry is working on guidelines to identify exceptionally talented children who can handle university-level education at an earlier age. “There must be a rule, and we are looking at developing a guideline on how to identify these talented children, so that parents don’t feel we are blocking their children’s chances.”
Shifting focus to the importance of literacy, Sununu emphasized the role of education in fostering mutual understanding, peace, and socio-economic development. Speaking on the theme of this year’s International Literacy Day, *”Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,”* he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the literacy challenges in Nigeria through the *Education for Renewed Hope* roadmap (2024-2027).
He highlighted youth and adult literacy as a priority for the government, underlining the critical role of teaching learners in their mother tongues. “We must focus on the role of a learner’s first language in becoming literate. This is essential in fostering mutual understanding and peace,” Sununu explained.
Sununu also called for increased support for multilingual education in Nigeria, stressing the need for teachers to be adequately trained to educate students in local languages. “Well-trained educators must be equipped to teach in local languages, and there is a need to develop follow-up reading materials in these languages to sustain literacy efforts.”
Echoing Sununu’s sentiments, Prof. Simon Akpama, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC), expressed the Commission’s dedication to promoting multilingual education across Nigeria’s schools. “In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingual education is not just a necessity, it is a tool for fostering peace and cultural respect,” Akpama stated.
UNESCO’s Country Representative, Mr. Diallo Abdourahamane, also lent his voice to the celebration, reiterating that literacy remains a fundamental human right. He urged stakeholders to view literacy as essential to creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable society. Abdourahamane emphasized that it is not only a key to individual empowerment but also a foundation for achieving national development goals.
The International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on Sept. 8, provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of literacy in promoting human rights, peace, and social inclusion. This year’s theme, *“Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,”* resonates with the Federal Government’s broader goals of fostering unity and socio-economic growth through improved literacy rates.
Sununu concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to improve literacy levels nationwide through various initiatives and reforms in the education sector. “We are committed to addressing the challenges of literacy in Nigeria, and our roadmap is designed to ensure that no one is left behind in our efforts to create a more literate, inclusive, and peaceful society.”
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