Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota in Ogun State, has said that banning under-18 students from sitting for national examinations will limit the potential of the children.

Obalanlege said this in a goodwill message at the 15th Anniversary of Adedokun International Schools at Iyana-Iyesi Multipurpose, Ota.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had on August 25, 2024 announced a move by the Federal Government to ban students below 18 years from sitting for examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council, National Examinations Council and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

According to Obalanlege, restricting under-18 students from sitting for WAEC and NECO examinations will limit the children’s potential in terms of competing with their peers around the world. 

“My advice to the Federal Government is to follow the international best practices rather than limiting the potential of our young ones,” he said.

Obalanlege said that this would help to enhance the standard of education in the country.

He congratulated Niyi Adedokun, the Founder of Adedokun International Schools, urging him to establish more schools across the state for the benefit of the residents.

In his response, Adedokun appreciated the Olota of Ota and presented him with an award for assisting the school to tackle the challenges encountered while erecting its buildings.

He urged the public to invest in Ota and its environs, adding that Obalanlege was always ready to help investors.

In his welcome address, Dr. Mike Fatukasi, the Principal of the school, said the school had achieved a significant milestone and excellence in education as it marked 15 years of existence.

“As you are aware, this year we are placed on number 17 amongst the best 25 secondary schools in Nigeria,” Fatukasi said.

Also, Patience Evans-Osabuohien, the Chairperson, Parents-Teacher Association of the School, Iyana Campus, urged the Federal Government to revisit and look into the decision on age limit.

Evans-Osabuohien urged the Federal Government not stop under-18 from entering the universities

She said that the children would be lured into bad gangs, thereby increasing crime rate in the country.

The News Agency reports that awards were presented to long servicing staff and individuals for their contributions to the development of the school.

NAN also reports that the school, which commenced operation in September 2009, with 50 students, has established four more campuses in Sango-Ota.