The Federal Government has announced a major policy shift in admission requirements into Nigerian tertiary institutions, declaring that mathematics is no longer compulsory for students in the arts and humanities streams.
According to the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, released by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) on Tuesday, arts and humanities students will now be admitted into universities and polytechnics without the need for a credit pass in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO.
The statement, signed by Folasade Boriowo, the ministry’s spokesperson, noted that the reform is intended to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
“The revised guidelines are designed to promote inclusiveness and improve access to tertiary education without compromising quality,” the statement read in part.
Under the new framework, universities will now require a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings.
Mathematics remains compulsory only for students applying to Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Similarly, polytechnics and colleges of education will maintain mathematics as a requirement only for science, vocational, and technical programmes, while arts and social science candidates will only need a credit in English Language.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa described the reform as a deliberate and inclusive effort to expand access to tertiary education, especially for candidates who had been previously hindered by the mathematics requirement.
“This is a step towards removing systemic barriers that have denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities,” Alausa said.
Reacting to the development, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin commended the move, saying it would ease the admission process and give more students the opportunity to pursue their passion.
“This is a brilliant reform. For years, many talented arts students have been denied admission simply because of mathematics. This change will open doors for many,” Oluwatoyin said.
The new admission framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide, and takes effect immediately.
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