The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering exempting exceptionally intelligent children from the recently imposed 18-year age limit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. This potential policy shift aims to accommodate gifted students who demonstrate extraordinary academic capabilities at a younger age.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during a tour of the Federal Government Academy in Suleja, also known as the National School for the Gifted. Prof. Mamman emphasized the need to develop specific criteria to identify and support these gifted children, ensuring they are not hindered by age restrictions.

“We recognize that some children possess exceptional intellectual abilities that should not be stifled by age limits. We are working on developing guidelines to identify and support these gifted students,” Prof. Mamman stated.

This consideration comes in response to concerns raised by educators and parents about the potential negative impact of the age limit on gifted students. The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, who accompanied Prof. Mamman on the tour, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the government’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing an enabling environment for learning.

During the visit, the ministers also announced an extension of the resumption date for students of the Federal Government Academy by two weeks due to ongoing renovations. The decision was made to ensure that students return to a conducive learning environment.

The proposed exemption has been met with mixed reactions. While many applaud the government’s recognition of the unique needs of gifted children, others express concerns about the implementation and potential for abuse of the exemption criteria.