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WAEC and NECO Exams Not for under 18 — Minister
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has clarified that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) are not for under eighteen-year-old candidates in secondary schools to sit for.
Prof Mamman disclosed this when he appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme on Sunday night.
He stressed that both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) must now enforce an 18-year age limit for candidates taking the WASSCE and SSCE exams, respectively.
The minister also clarified that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.
His words: “It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18
he minister also clarified that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.
His words: “It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.
“Even basically if you compute the number of years pupils, and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.
“So, we are not coming up with new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing. In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations.
In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years in that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination.”
The minister also stated that the age limit for candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), remains set at 18 years.
News
US military strikes in Nigeria killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists -Report
Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.
Military strikes conducted by the US in December 2025 killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoro, a report by The New Humanitarian has claimed.
The US focus was Lakurawa though the strikes didn’t touch other jihadist groups including Boko Haram, as well as the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru.
The publication also claimed that the attacks left 200 additional Lakurawa fighters missing in the week following the operation.
The strikes, carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, were believed to have involved Tomahawk missiles launched from a US destroyer positioned in the Gulf of Guinea.
The missiles targeted three districts in Sokoto State: Isa, Tangaza, and Tambuwal, though only Tangaza is widely recognised as a core area of Lakurawa.
It is believed that Tambuwal is not generally associated with organised armed violence; while Isa is a bandit stronghold largely controlled by Bello Turji.
Although details of the strike on Isa remain unclear, Turji is widely believed to have survived the attack.
A Lakurawa camp in Tangaza, however, reportedly suffered significant losses.
The New Humanitarian reports that there were two missile hits.
The first reportedly killed around 30 fighters. As surviving members converged to assess the damage and assist the wounded, a second missile struck, killing those who had gathered.
In total, an estimated 155 Lakurawa were killed, including 19 who were initially injured but later succumbed to their wounds.
Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.
However, in the week following the strikes, about 200 Lakurawa fighters were reported missing. The group was also said to have lost nearly half of its cattle, which is a major source of its revenue.
(The Sun)
News
Curfew, restriction for Akran of Badagry’s burial rites
Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.
Following the death of the 89-year-old monarch, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry., restrictions have been imposed on vehicular movements around the palace vicinity with some sections of the road leading to the place barricaded.
Commuters were said to be directed to take alternative routes.
Sources said the traditional worshippers have started observing rites necessitated by the demise of the monarch.
Security and palace officials were seen restricting movement in the immediate vicinity.
Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.
News
Akran of Badagry is dead, aged 89
The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.
Photo: Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi
The traditional ruler of the Badagry local government area in Lagos State, the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi, is dead, aged 89.
The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.
According to the palace, the Akran was pronounced dead by medical experts, after a brief illness, and the traditional rites for his burial have gradually commenced.
Residents of Badagry, who are currently mourning the loss of their revered monarch, described his death as a heavy blow, noting that the town has lost not just a king but a father figure whose wisdom, counsel and presence brought reassurance in moments of uncertainty.
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