FG Announces New Admission Policy: Mathematics No Longer Compulsory for Arts Students in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major policy reform in the nation’s education system, declaring that Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for students in the Arts and Humanities seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

This reform, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to eliminate long-standing barriers that have prevented many qualified candidates from securing admission despite meeting other academic standards.

Mathematics No Longer a Mandatory Subject for Arts and Humanities

According to the Ministry, the new admission policy affects students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.

Under the revised guidelines, Arts and Humanities students are no longer required to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics to gain admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. However, English Language remains compulsory for all candidates across disciplines.

The new regulation forms part of the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, recently reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Education to create equal opportunities for students and expand access to higher education.

Revised Entry Requirements for Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

The updated framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions across the country. The breakdown is as follows:

1. Universities

Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings.

• Mathematics is compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
  
• For Arts and Humanities students, Mathematics is no longer mandatory.
  

2. Polytechnics (ND Level)

Applicants must have a minimum of four (4) credits in relevant subjects.

• English Language is required for non-science courses.
  
• Mathematics remains compulsory only for Science-related programs.
  

3. Polytechnics (HND Level)

Candidates must have five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, as the HND level maintains a more technical curriculum.

4. Colleges of Education (NCE Level)

Applicants are required to have four (4) credits in relevant subjects.

• English Language is compulsory for Arts and Social Science courses.
  
• Mathematics is required only for Science, Vocational, and Technical Education programs.
  

This development was confirmed in a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education.

FG’s Move to Expand Access to Higher Education

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate step toward expanding access to tertiary education and promoting fairness in the admission process.

He explained that the ministry also approved a comprehensive review of entry requirements to increase the annual admission capacity across Nigeria’s higher institutions.

According to the minister, the government aims to raise the total number of admitted students annually from about 700,000 to over one million, thereby providing opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each academic session.

Dr. Alausa noted that every year, more than two million candidates register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet less than half are admitted into institutions of higher learning. The new admission structure, he said, is designed to close this gap.

“The previous system created unnecessary barriers for many talented Nigerian youths. This reform will ensure fairness and opportunity, allowing more students to pursue higher education and achieve their academic dreams,” the minister stated.

The Admission Reform Was Necessary

For years, the Nigerian education system required all students — regardless of their discipline — to obtain credits in both English Language and Mathematics to qualify for tertiary education.

While this structure worked for Science and Technology fields, it often disqualified many promising Arts and Humanities students, especially those who excelled in creative and linguistic subjects but struggled with Mathematics.

The new policy recognizes the difference in skill sets across academic fields, aligning Nigeria’s admission system with international best practices.

Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have long adopted flexible entry requirements based on students’ intended areas of study.

Analysts Commend the Federal Government’s Decision

Education experts and stakeholders have praised the Federal Government for what they describe as a progressive and inclusive education reform.

An Abuja-based education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, said the policy would significantly increase access to higher education and reduce the number of students left behind due to rigid requirements.

“This is a brilliant and long-overdue reform. It will open up opportunities for thousands of students who have been held back by the Mathematics barrier, especially those pursuing courses in Arts, Law, Theatre, and Humanities,” Oluwatoyin said.

He further noted that the policy would also reduce the pressure on examination bodies, as fewer students would need to repeatedly resit Mathematics exams to meet admission requirements.

Increased Admission Capacity: One Million Students Yearly

In addition to removing Mathematics as a compulsory subject for Arts students, the Federal Government announced that the revised admission framework will increase the total annual intake across tertiary institutions to over one million students.

The goal, according to Dr. Alausa, is to expand educational access, promote inclusivity, and give every qualified Nigerian student a fair chance to obtain higher education.

“We are fully committed to ensuring that no Nigerian child is denied tertiary education because of outdated admission policies. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a tool for national development,” the minister added.

Balancing Access and Academic Standards

While the new policy seeks to expand access, the Federal Ministry of Education clarified that academic standards will not be compromised.

Institutions are expected to maintain their minimum quality benchmarks, including subject relevance and institutional autonomy in determining specific admission criteria.

The reform also encourages tertiary institutions to revise their internal admission processes to align with the new national framework while maintaining transparency through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Impact on Students and the Education Sector

The removal of compulsory Mathematics for Arts and Humanities students is expected to have a positive impact on secondary school students, parents, and educational institutions.

It will likely reduce the dropout rate caused by repeated exam failures and increase enrolment in programs such as Mass Communication, Law, Linguistics, Fine Arts, Literature, Philosophy, History, and Religious Studies.

Furthermore, experts believe the reform could attract more investment in Nigeria’s education sector, as higher enrolment rates will stimulate demand for academic resources, private tutoring, and e-learning services.

The Federal Government’s decision to make Mathematics optional for Arts and Humanities students marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s education reform journey.

Easing entry requirements and expanding annual admission capacity, the policy aims to create a more inclusive and equitable education system that recognizes diverse talents and learning strengths.

If successfully implemented, the reform could reshape the future of tertiary education in Nigeria — giving thousands of young Nigerians the opportunity to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to national development.