Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly criticized the Nigerian federal government's recent policy that sets an age limit of 18 years for candidates taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.
Atiku described this policy as "absurd" and likened it to regulations from the "Stone Age," asserting that it undermines educational opportunities and accessibility.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Atiku emphasized that the policy is a significant barrier to scholarship and contradicts the principles of a federal system of governance.
He argued that education falls under the concurrent list of the Nigerian Constitution, which allows sub-national governments to have greater authority in educational matters than the federal government.
He stated, “It is extra-constitutional for the federal government to legislate on education in a manner similar to a decree.”
Atiku's remarks came in response to comments made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who announced the policy during a television interview.
The minister indicated that this age requirement is a reaffirmation of existing regulations and that it would be strictly enforced starting next year.
Furthermore, Atiku criticized the government's lack of provisions for specially gifted students, calling it an embarrassment to the nation's intellectual community.
He urged all Nigerians who value intellectual freedom to condemn the policy, asserting that it does not align with global standards for educational governance.
