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Age Requirement for SSCE in Nigeria 2025/2026 – Here is the approved age requirements for JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB in Nigeria.

The minister of education has announced new age requirements for admission in Nigeria for the following examinations:

  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
  • National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB)
  • Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (NECO)
  • Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

The age requirement for sitting for Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) in Nigeria has been a topic of discussion among students, parents, and educators.

As the 2025/2026 academic session approaches, it is essential to clarify the approved age requirements for various examination bodies in Nigeria, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.

Age Requirement for SSCE in Nigeria 2025/2026 - Here is the approved age requirements for JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB in Nigeria.

Age Requirement for SSCE in Nigeria and Admission 2025/2026 Academic Session

In Nigeria, the minimum age requirement for SSCE is NOW 18 years old.

  • The age requirement for JAMB UTME 2025/2026 is NOW 18 years old.
  • The age requirement for WAEC 2025/2026 is NOW 18 years old.
  • The age requirement for NECO 2025/2026 is NOW 18 years old.
  • The age requirement for NABTEB 2025/2026 is NOW 18 years old.

The Federal Government has prohibited individuals under the age of 18 from taking part in the National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman disclosed this when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program on Sunday night.

Mamman explained that the federal government has directed WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates wishing to take these exams.

This, he said was not a new policy.

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8 Comments

  1. Ifeanyi Emmanuel

    Guys I’ve written my waec tho year but I’m writing jamb next year but I’ll be 18 by next year October can I write jamb??

  2. Ogunyinka Peter

    Good day… I don’t think this policy is right. It will only give rooms for fraudulent age declaration. There are lot of children below 18yrs that are about to write this up coming examinations. This kind of policy only open door or will give a room for tamparing with there birth Certificate. Federal government should have limit it to higher institutions only instead of limiting it SSCE, NECO.

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