FG Removes Mathematics as Compulsory Subject for Arts Students

The Federal Government has announced that Mathematics is no longer compulsory for senior secondary school students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study Arts and Humanities-related courses.

The decision, disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, marks a major shift from the long-standing admission requirements that made credit passes in both English Language and Mathematics mandatory for all candidates, regardless of their discipline.

According to the ministry, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are intended to “remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.”

The new framework, which applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions, outlines the following:

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

Polytechnics (ND level): Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses, and Mathematics for science-related programmes.

Polytechnics (HND level): Minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Colleges of Education (NCE level): Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the government emphasised that the reform aims to make tertiary education more inclusive and better aligned with students’ academic strengths and career paths.

Reacting to the policy, an education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, commended the move, describing it as “a progressive reform that recognises the diversity of learners’ talents and interests.”