Mathematics No Longer Mandatory for Arts Students in Tertiary Admissions – FG
The Federal Government has announced a major reform in Nigeria’s education system, declaring that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities will no longer be required to have a credit in Mathematics as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.
The policy shift, confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, applies to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) results.
For years, admission seekers in the arts and humanities were required—like their counterparts in the sciences and social sciences—to obtain at least five credit passes, including Mathematics and English Language, to qualify for higher education.
According to the Ministry, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
Under the new framework:
- Universities now require a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects, including English Language, with Mathematics mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
- Polytechnics (ND level) will require four credits in relevant subjects, including English for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.
- Polytechnics (HND level) maintain five credits, including English and Mathematics.
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Colleges of Education (NCE level) require four credits, with English mandatory for Arts and Social Science students, while Mathematics remains compulsory for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs.
A spokesperson for the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, emphasized that the reform reflects a shift towards flexibility and fairness in tertiary admissions.
Education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin hailed the development as a “brilliant reform” that will “open doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more students.”
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate step to expand access to tertiary education. He revealed that the changes would increase Nigeria’s annual admission capacity from about 700,000 to over one million students, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 candidates each year.
According to the minister, the decision followed years of restricted access that left many qualified candidates stranded despite meeting the basic standards.
This development marks one of the most significant overhauls of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process in recent years, signaling a shift towards inclusivity and equity in learning opportunities.
The reform aligns with the Child’s Rights Act (2003), which guarantees every Nigerian child the right to free, compulsory, and accessible education. By removing unnecessary barriers such as mandatory Mathematics credits for non-science students, the Federal Government affirms its duty to ensure equal access to education for all children, regardless of their chosen field of study.
