The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students taking O-Level examinations.
This clarification came through a fresh statement issued on Sunday, the 19th of October, 2025, by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education.
Earlier in the week, Boriowo had announced that students in the arts and humanities would no longer need to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) before being considered for admission into tertiary institutions.
At the time, she explained that the policy was introduced to ease long-standing barriers that had denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities. She noted that although more than two million candidates register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) each year, only around 700,000 secure admission.
The announcement had sparked reactions among educationists who criticized the reform, arguing that it could weaken academic discipline and lower learning standards.
In the updated statement, Boriowo emphasized that the new guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering for or writing Mathematics.
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.
The Ministry further explained that while higher institutions may adjust their admission criteria for specific courses, students are still required to take both subjects at the O-Level stage.
“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” Boriowo clarified.
READ ALSO: FG Removes Mathematics as Compulsory Subject for Arts, Humanities Students
She added that the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity, equal access, and national development through education.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the Ministry stated.
It also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely only on official government channels for accurate policy information.
When asked if the new clarification signaled a reversal of the earlier announcement, Boriowo responded, “No, no U-turn it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”