In July 2024, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, introduced a policy setting a minimum age of 18 for students taking the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. This decision was justified by concerns about the maturity and emotional stability of younger students, who are perceived to be more susceptible to cultism and other negative social influences if admitted to university before the age of 18. However, as an organization, we question the basis for these assumptions and the data or parameters used to support them.

The reality is that leaving these young individuals, often referred to as Gen Z, idle for an extended period of two years or more, without engaging them in meaningful skill or knowledge-based programs, is potentially harmful. Unfortunately, such programs are currently lacking.

We strongly advise the Ministry of Education to focus its efforts and resources on addressing more pressing educational challenges, such as reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving security and infrastructure in schools, and reversing the decline in educational standards. These initiatives would contribute more significantly to the long-term achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.