The Federal Government has approved a major reform in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, declaring that Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for candidates seeking admission into Arts and Humanities courses.
The policy is part of a new national guideline aimed at promoting inclusivity and expanding access to higher education across the country.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry explained that the new framework was designed under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. The reform, she said, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on fairness, flexibility, and equal opportunity in education.
According to Dr. Alausa, the decision was taken after years of restrictive admission rules that left thousands of qualified students without university placements. He noted that while over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) each year, less than half gain admission due to outdated entry requirements. “Our goal is to ensure that capable and deserving candidates are not denied education because of obsolete policies,” he said.
The revised national guideline specifies that for university admissions, candidates must obtain a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, in not more than two sittings. Mathematics will remain compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses, but it is no longer a mandatory subject for Arts students. The same adjustment applies to related institutions such as colleges of education, polytechnics, and innovation academies.
Dr. Alausa added that the government also approved the replacement of the National Innovation Diploma (NID) with the National Diploma (ND) for Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs). The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to re-accredit all IEAs to ensure compliance with the new standard. “This reform will allow an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission annually,” he revealed.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to equitable learning opportunities, Dr. Alausa described the policy as a milestone in human capital development. “Our young people are the heartbeat of this nation. We are equipping them with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he stated.
