The Federal Government has announced that students pursuing careers in arts and humanities will no longer be required to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as a prerequisite for admission into tertiary institutions.
The decision, disclosed on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, marks a major reform in the country’s admission framework for higher education.
The new policy affects examinations conducted by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
For decades, candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education were required to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, regardless of their chosen discipline.
However, under the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for students in the arts and humanities.
According to a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson of the Ministry, the new guidelines are aimed at “removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.”
The statement outlined the new entry criteria as follows:
Universities: Minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language. Mathematics remains compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND level): Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for non-science courses and Mathematics required for science-related programs.
Polytechnics (HND level): Five credit passes including English and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE level): Minimum of four credit passes, with English compulsory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs.
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Reacting to the development, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin described the reform as “a brilliant and progressive step that will widen access and ease the admission process for many students who have been previously constrained by Mathematics.”
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy shift is part of the government’s efforts to expand access to tertiary education and ensure inclusivity across disciplines.
“This reform is deliberate and forward-thinking,” Alausa said. “It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of their academic pathway, has a fair chance at higher education.”
Further details on the implementation of the new policy are expected to be released by the Ministry in due course.