Full Story (Hobnob News):
In a major policy shift aimed at expanding access to higher education, the Federal Government has announced that mathematics will no longer be compulsory for students in the arts and humanities seeking admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which unveiled the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
According to the new framework, mathematics will remain mandatory only for candidates applying to science, technology, and social science-related programmes, while arts and humanities students will only be required to have credits in relevant subjects, including English Language.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the policy applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide.
“The revised guidelines are designed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards,” the statement read.
It further outlined that universities will require a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, while polytechnics will demand four to five credits depending on the programme. Mathematics remains compulsory for science-based courses but not for arts or non-science tracks.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate move to expand access to tertiary education and create more opportunities for Nigerian youths.
He stated that the new admission policy is expected to increase the annual intake of students from about 700,000 to one million across all tertiary institutions.
“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This reform will help bridge that gap and ensure fairness in access to education,” Alausa said.
Education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin praised the development, calling it a “brilliant and long-overdue reform” that would improve the ease of admission for thousands of students.
With this new policy, the Federal Government aims to balance academic standards with inclusivity, ensuring that every Nigerian youth—regardless of discipline—has a fair opportunity to pursue higher education.
— Hobnob News
