The Federal Government has removed Mathematics as a compulsory subject for admission into tertiary institutions for students in the arts and humanities.
The new policy, announced on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, means candidates applying to universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions under these disciplines will no longer need a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC or NECO.
Previously, all admission seekers, regardless of discipline, were required to obtain at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, before being considered for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to the statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:
- Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
- Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programmes.
- Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
- Colleges of Education (NCE Level): 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 programmes.
Reacting to the development, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin commended the reform, describing it as a step in the right direction.
“This is a brilliant reform which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admission into tertiary institutions for more candidates,” she said.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the decision was part of the government’s deliberate effort to widen access to tertiary education and ensure that admission criteria reflect the specific needs of various disciplines.
