The Federal Government has scrapped mathematics as a compulsory subject for arts and humanities students seeking admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics, the Minister of Education disclosed on Tuesday.
Dr Tunji Alausa revealed that the new policy removes the long-standing requirement for arts students to present a credit pass in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination as a condition for tertiary education admission.
For years, admission seekers across all disciplines—arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences—have been required to obtain five credit passes, including mathematics and English language, before gaining entry into higher institutions.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, outlined the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers whilst maintaining academic standards,” Boriowo stated.
According to the new framework, which applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide, the requirements now vary by institution and course type.
For universities, students must obtain a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English language, in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains mandatory only for science, technology, and social science courses.
Polytechnic students seeking National Diploma admission need a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English language for non-science courses and mathematics for science-related programmes.
However, those pursuing Higher National Diploma must present five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English language and mathematics.
For Colleges of Education at NCE level, students require a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English language mandatory for arts and social science courses, whilst mathematics is required for science, vocational, and technical programmes.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin praised the reform.
“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers,” Oluwatoyin said.
Dr Alausa described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, noting that the government has approved comprehensive changes to admission entry requirements across all tertiary institutions.
The minister revealed that the new policy would increase average annual intake from approximately 700,000 to one million students, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 admissions each year.
He explained that the reform became necessary after years of limited access, which left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission despite meeting required standards.
“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity,” Alausa explained.
He added, “The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed—putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action.”
