By Dalhatu Liman
The Federal Government has clarified that Mathematics and English Language remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for O-Level examinations, reversing widespread speculation that the subjects had been dropped from core requirements.
In a press statement released on Sunday and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folashade, the Federal Ministry of Education stated unequivocally that the new admission guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for the two foundational subjects.
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was designed to promote fairness and inclusiveness in tertiary education, not to eliminate core academic standards.
“The reform promotes fairness and inclusiveness in tertiary education by ensuring that capable students are not denied admission due to deficiencies in non-core subjects,” Dr. Alausa said.
The ministry emphasized that while institutions may now admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.
“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” the statement clarified.
The move is part of a broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices.
According to the ministry, the reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the ministry noted.
The ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates, warning against misinformation circulating on social media.
The clarification comes amid public confusion over recent changes to tertiary admission requirements, with many interpreting the streamlined guidelines as a relaxation of core subject obligations.
The Federal Government on Tuesday had announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities will no longer be required to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, to announce the new admission guidelines.
Previously, many tertiary institutions required applicants in the arts and humanities to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, similar to candidates in the sciences and social sciences.
According to Boriowo, the revised national guidelines for entry requirements into Nigerian tertiary institutions were developed to remove unnecessary barriers to admission while upholding academic standards.
However, stakeholders across the country expressed divergent views with some for the policy and others against it.
Dr. Muhammad S. Balogun, a medical doctor, questioned the rationale behind the move. “On the surface, it appears to aim for flexibility and access. But is this really progress or one of our usual shortcuts?” he asked rhetorically.
“Everyone needs basic math: budgeting amid inflation, spotting fake news stats, understanding simple proportions, appreciating risks and evaluating the role of chance. We are not talking differential and integral calculus here fa! Just a credit in maths. Ordinary secondary school maths fa!”
Balogun argued that the issue lies not in the subject itself but in how it is taught. “I suspect that poor WAEC pass rates stem from bad teaching, rather than the inability of kids.
Ditching important requirements is a reaction to symptoms. What we need to do is to reform how we teach,” he said, advocating for improved pedagogy and contextual learning tools.
Jabir Usman, an educator from Kaduna, expressed deep concern. “This policy appears to contradict the very essence of education in the 21st century, an era defined by science, technology, innovation, and data-driven decision making,” he said.
“Mathematics is not merely about numbers; it is the foundation of logical and analytical thinking.”
Usman warned that the policy could weaken the intellectual fabric of future generations. “A nation that aims to compete globally cannot afford to produce citizens who lack numerical literacy or analytical competence,” he added.
Shitu Obessa, a retired teacher, offered a historical perspective. “In my days in school, Arithmetic was made compulsory for us and Mathematics was optional,” he recalled.
“Some of us who had the intention of studying art courses just sat for Arithmetic while others who had the ambition to study sciences attempted Optional Mathematics.”
Obessa suggested that the government should consider replacing Mathematics with Civic Education or Arithmetic to maintain academic balance.
“Until that is done, the new policy may run into a hitch or be dead on arrival,” he warned.
On the other hand, Ahmed Abdulkadir, a public affairs analyst, welcomed the change. “Finally, a sensible change. It felt like déja vu, a return to the good old days when education in Nigeria made sense.”
Abdulkadir argued that the previous system unfairly penalised talented arts students. “Many brilliant students have had their dreams shattered simply because of Mathematics. I’ve seen young people who could write, draw, debate, or perform brilliantly, but who kept missing out on university admission because of that one subject,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alexander Obadimu, President of the Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, faulted the policy.
Speaking during the association’s 3rd annual congress in Abeokuta, he said, “Many students would run off from Mathematics; Mathematics has its good side and saying it’s no longer required is unfortunate.”
Obadimu warned that the policy could lead to academic decadence. “You would discover that academic decadence would start coming in. It has its own positive role in academics generally,” he said, adding that some institutions may resist the change. “I want to believe that it won’t stay for long because some higher institutions might not take it as decided by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
