Mathematics No Longer Compulsory for Arts and Humanities Admissions — FG
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that a credit pass in Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory requirement for admission into universities and polytechnics for students seeking to study Arts and Humanities courses.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo.
For several years, candidates seeking admission into higher institutions in Nigeria—regardless of their chosen fields—have been required to obtain five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
However, according to the Ministry, the new directive is part of the “Revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,” which aims to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
The statement further explained that the revised framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across the country. The new entry standards are outlined as follows:
Universities: A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND Level): A minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses, and Mathematics for science-related programs.
Polytechnics (HND Level): A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE Level): A minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs.
Commenting on the reform, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the policy as a deliberate and inclusive step toward expanding access to tertiary education.
“This reform is designed to ensure that no qualified student is denied the opportunity to pursue higher education simply because of a single subject barrier,” Alausa stated.
He added that the Ministry would continue to review admission policies to align with global standards while addressing local challenges in education accessibility and quality.
