The Federal Government has clarified that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), despite recent adjustments to tertiary admission requirements.
The clarification follows public outrage over an earlier announcement by the Federal Ministry of Education on October 14, which appeared to suggest that Mathematics would no longer be mandatory for admission into Arts and Humanities programmes in Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
In a fresh statement issued on Sunday, October 19, and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry explained that the new admission policy does not exempt students from registering or sitting for English and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations.
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations. The adjustment affects only admission criteria for certain programmes, not the requirement to take these subjects,” the statement read.
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According to the ministry, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions were designed to make higher education more inclusive and flexible, ensuring that students are not unfairly denied admission because of weaknesses in non-relevant subjects.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the reform reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices.
“The reform was designed to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions. It ensures that capable and deserving students are not denied access to higher education because of deficiencies in non-relevant subjects,” Alausa said.
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He added that the new policy aligns with the Federal Government’s broader goals of equity, human capital development, and expanded learning opportunities for all Nigerians.
The ministry emphasized that English and Mathematics remain essential foundational subjects for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. The only adjustment, it explained, is that tertiary institutions now have the discretion to determine whether a credit pass in Mathematics is compulsory for certain programmes.
Addressing concerns that the clarification amounted to a reversal of policy, Boriowo maintained that it was merely a restatement for clarity, not a change of direction.
“It is not a reversal; it is a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education,” she said.
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The ministry also cautioned students, parents, and stakeholders against relying on unofficial or social media reports for education policy updates, urging them instead to verify information through official government channels.
The initial announcement had sparked widespread debate across the education sector. While some stakeholders hailed it as a progressive step towards inclusivity, others warned it might lower academic standards and weaken students’ proficiency in fundamental subjects.
Under the revised policy, English Language remains compulsory for all programmes, while Mathematics is mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science disciplines. For Arts and Humanities students, a credit in Mathematics is no longer required for admission, but the subject remains mandatory to sit for at the SSCE level.
Reaffirming its stance, the ministry said it remains committed to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system that balances access with quality, ensuring every Nigerian youth has a fair opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
