Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
In a major policy shift aimed at broadening access to higher education, the Federal Government has removed Mathematics as a mandatory subject for students applying to study Arts and Humanities in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The announcement came Tuesday through the Federal Ministry of Education, which revealed the updated National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. The new policy affects universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions nationwide.
According to a statement from the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the adjustment is part of efforts to dismantle unnecessary obstacles without compromising academic quality.
Under the revised framework, prospective Arts and Humanities students will now only need credits in relevant subjects, such as English Language. However, Mathematics will still be essential for applicants pursuing Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
For polytechnic admissions, students aiming for non-science courses must secure at least four credit passes including English, while those targeting science-based courses must still include Mathematics. At the Higher National Diploma (HND) level, both English and Mathematics remain non-negotiable.
In Colleges of Education, English will be a required subject for Arts and Social Science applicants, whereas Mathematics is compulsory for those enrolling in Science, Technical, and Vocational programmes.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the policy shift as a step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible tertiary education system.
He stressed that the reform is designed to open doors for more learners by aligning requirements with the demands of each academic field.
