In a major policy reversal, the Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria) has announced that credit in Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for students seeking admission into arts and humanities courses in Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja through a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo. The new directive marks a significant departure from the long-standing admission rule that required five credit passes — including Mathematics and English — for entry into higher institutions.
According to Boriowo, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to eliminate unnecessary barriers that have long hindered many qualified students from pursuing their desired academic paths while still maintaining strong academic standards.
The reform will cut across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions nationwide. Mathematics will now only remain compulsory for science, technology, and selected social science courses, while English Language will continue to be mandatory for all programmes.
Describing the policy change as a bold step towards inclusive education, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the decision was carefully crafted to expand access to tertiary education and open new doors for students in the arts and humanities.
