By Mariyah Adamu, Abuja
English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent review of admission requirements into tertiary institutions, the Federal Government has clarified.
Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, who made this known in a statement yesterday, said the clarification became necessary following misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework.
In this vein, “All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation”, the statement read.
The new policy on streamlined admission criteria, it added does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, had earlier explained that the reform was introduced to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied access because of deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen courses.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study”, Alausa said.
The new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects imbalances in the previous admission system by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, but all students must still register and sit for both, he noted.
The Ministry said the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while upholding education quality and integrity.
It also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely solely on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on reforms and policies.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.
Meanwhile, the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, has opposed moves by the Federal Government to make Mathematics non-compulsory for arts students seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Ogunbanjo, Chairman Board of Trustees of NAPTAN, Mr Adeolu in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday described the idea as ‘misguided and risky’.
Ogunbanjo asserted that Mathematics remained vital to all disciplines, including arts and humanities, as most professions and entrepreneurial ventures required basic numeracy skills to thrive in today’s competitive economy.
He said that while students in the arts may not require an advanced grasp of Mathematics, a pass in the subject should remain a prerequisite for admission into higher institutions.
“Every profession needs a bit of Mathematics. From budgeting to business planning, you cannot do without it. A total cancellation of Mathematics for art students is wrong and should be discouraged.
“Rather than demanding a credit in Mathematics for admission, a pass will be fair and reasonable. That way, students maintain basic numeracy without being unfairly excluded from tertiary education”, the association added.
The NAPTAN official, therefore, called on education policymakers to carefully review the implications of removing Mathematics from admission requirements.
According to him, such a move can weaken the academic foundation of students and limit their long-term career prospects, hence the need for a pass to be required for admission into tertiary institutions.
