Nigerian Government Drops Mathematics
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a major policy change eliminating the requirement of a credit pass in Mathematics for students in the Arts and Humanities seeking admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
According to the ministry, the new policy takes immediate effect and applies to candidates writing examinations conducted by both the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, and the National Examinations Council, NECO.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the new framework, titled “National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,” is aimed at removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
The statement noted that the revised policy applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions across the country.
Under the new rules, universities will require a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, in relevant subjects obtained in not more than two sittings.
Mathematics will remain compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
For admission into polytechnics at the National Diploma level, candidates will now need at least four credits, including English Language for non-science courses, while Mathematics remains mandatory for science-related programmes.
The Higher National Diploma level will continue to require five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education are to demand four credits in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, hailed the policy shift as a deliberate move to expand access to tertiary education and ensure fairness across academic disciplines.
“This reform is part of our effort to make tertiary education more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the distinct needs of each field of study,” he said.
