The Federal Government has removed Mathematics as a compulsory subject for students in Arts and Humanities.
It said the reform aims to widen access to tertiary education and reduce admission barriers.
The Federal Government has announced that students in the arts and humanities will no longer need a credit pass in Mathematics to gain admission into universities and polytechnics in Nigeria.
The change was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
For years, all secondary school students seeking admission into tertiary institutions were required to have at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English and Mathematics. The new rule now exempts Arts and Humanities students from the Mathematics requirement.
According to the ministry, the revision is part of the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, aimed at removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions across the country. It states that Mathematics will remain compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses. For non-science programmes at the polytechnic level, a credit in English Language will suffice, while Mathematics remains required for science and technical-related fields.
Education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin described the move as “a brilliant reform” that would make admission into higher institutions easier for many students.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the decision was a deliberate step by the government to expand access to tertiary education and ensure inclusiveness for all learners.
