The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the immediate removal of Mathematics as a requirement for admission for Arts students into universities and polytechnics across Nigeria.
Theliberationnews reports that the new policy applies to examinations conducted by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
For decades, students seeking admission into higher institutions, regardless of their field were mandated to secure at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. The revised guideline now eases that requirement for those pursuing arts and humanities-related courses.
According to a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the new framework, titled “National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,” aims to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.
The statement explained that the new policy applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across the country.
Under the revised rules:
Universities now require a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, in relevant subjects obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND Level) require a minimum of four credits, including English Language for non-science courses, while Mathematics is compulsory for science-related programmes.
Polytechnics (HND Level) still require five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE Level) now 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, also applauded the change, describing it as a deliberate move to expand access to tertiary education while ensuring fairness for all academic disciplines.
