BREAKING: FG REMOVES MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT FOR ARTS, HUMANITIES STUDENTS SEEKING UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday announced the removal of mathematics as a compulsory credit requirement for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for students in the arts and humanities.

For years, admission seekers in these disciplines, like their counterparts in the sciences and social sciences, were required to obtain five credits including mathematics and English Language in their West African Examinations Council or National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examinations.

According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to “remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.”

Under the new framework:

Universities: A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

Polytechnics (ND): Four credit passes, including English Language for non-science courses; Mathematics remains mandatory for science-related programs.

Polytechnics (HND): Five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics.

Colleges of Education (NCE): Four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Sciences and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs.

Reacting to the development, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin described the reform as “a brilliant move” that would ease admission into tertiary institutions for more students.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the policy was a deliberate effort to expand access to higher education across the country.