The Federal Government has announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students in the arts and humanities seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

According to the new directive from the Federal Ministry of Education, the reform applies to candidates presenting their Senior School Certificate Examination results conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

For years, applicants in the arts and humanities were required to obtain credit passes in both English Language and Mathematics, alongside other relevant subjects, to qualify for admission into universities and polytechnics. However, the government says this policy has now been reviewed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining quality.

A statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions were developed to “remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.”

The new framework, which covers universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide, provides updated subject requirements for various programmes:

“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.

“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” the statement read.

Reacting to the development, an education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, commended the decision, describing it as a step in the right direction.

“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers,” he told our correspondent in Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, also applauded the new policy, noting that it was a deliberate effort to expand access to higher education across the country.

He said the ministry had also approved a broader review of entry requirements for all tertiary institutions, increasing the average annual intake capacity from about 700,000 to one million students.

According to him, the reform was necessary to correct years of restricted access, which had left many qualified applicants unable to secure admission despite meeting academic standards.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed—putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’’ he said.

The government emphasised that the revised National Guidelines aim to balance inclusivity with quality assurance, ensuring that access to higher education is broadened without compromising academic standards.