FG ANNOUNCES: MATHEMATICS NO LONGER COMPULSORY FOR ARTS STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

 

In a major development in Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students in the Arts and Humanities who are seeking admission into tertiary institutions.

The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, through a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo. The government explained that this decision forms part of the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, designed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

According to the new framework, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions across the country will now adopt more flexible entry requirements. Under the revised policy, candidates applying to universities must obtain a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, in not more than two sittings. Mathematics will remain compulsory only for courses in the Sciences, Technology, and Social Sciences, while it is no longer mandatory for Arts and Humanities students.

For polytechnic admission at the National Diploma (ND) level, students are required to have at least four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses, while Mathematics remains compulsory for science-related programs. At the Higher National Diploma (HND) level, a minimum of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, is still required. Similarly, for Colleges of Education, applicants must possess four credits in relevant subjects, with English Language compulsory for Arts and Social Science students, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort by the government to expand access to higher education and create more opportunities for Nigerian youths. He noted that, annually, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but only about 700,000 are offered admission into various institutions. According to him, this imbalance is not necessarily due to a lack of qualified candidates, but rather the result of outdated and overly stringent admission requirements that have restricted access for years.

Dr. Alausa explained that the reform aims to increase the number of students admitted into higher institutions annually from about 700,000 to between one million and 1.3 million, thereby providing an additional 250,000 to 300,000 admission opportunities each year. He emphasized that the new policy reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and broader access to education in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Reacting to the development, an education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, praised the reform, describing it as a brilliant move that will help reduce unnecessary academic pressure and improve the ease of securing admission for students in the Arts and Humanities.

This reform means that Art students will no longer need a credit pass in Mathematics as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics, as long as their chosen courses do not require the subject. However, English Language remains compulsory for all candidates, regardless of discipline.

The Federal Ministry of Education urged students, parents, and school administrators to study the new guidelines carefully and await further directives from their respective examination bodies and tertiary institutions to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.

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