FG Removes Mathematics as Compulsory Subject for Arts Students Seeking University Admission

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Federal Government has announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study Arts and Humanities-related courses.

The new policy, unveiled on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, applies to entry requirements for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across the country.

According to a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to eliminate unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards,” the statement read in part.

Under the new framework, the requirements are as follows:

Universities: A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

Polytechnics (ND Level): A minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses, while Mathematics remains compulsory for science-related programmes.

Polytechnics (HND Level): A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Colleges of Education (NCE Level): A minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.

The ministry stated that the updated guidelines will take effect immediately across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.