The Federal Government has removed Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission to study Arts and Humanities courses in Nigerian tertiary institutions, marking a significant shift in the nation’s education policy.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the policy change Tuesday, stating that the revision affects admission requirements across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions nationwide.
In a statement signed by ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo, the government explained that “the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.” The new framework establishes differentiated requirements based on course categories and institution types.
Under the new policy, universities will require a “minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings,” according to the statement. However, “Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses,” effectively exempting Arts and Humanities candidates from the requirement.
For polytechnics at the National Diploma level, students need a “minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.” At the Higher National Diploma level, polytechnic applicants must obtain a “minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.”
Colleges of Education implementing the National Certificate in Education program will require 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,” the ministry stated.
The policy represents a departure from the previous blanket requirement that made Mathematics compulsory for virtually all tertiary institution admissions, regardless of course of study. Education stakeholders have long debated whether the uniform Mathematics requirement created unnecessary barriers for students with aptitude in Arts and Humanities fields.
The ministry emphasized that the changes are designed to align admission requirements more closely with the actual demands of specific academic disciplines, potentially opening pathways for students whose strengths lie outside mathematical competencies while ensuring that technical and scientific programs maintain appropriate standards.
The new guidelines take effect immediately and apply to all public and private tertiary institutions under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
