The Federal Government has clarified that while Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students to sit for in O-Level examinations, a credit pass in the subject will no longer be mandatory for admission into certain arts and humanities programmes in tertiary institutions.
The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education. This follows a previous announcement earlier in the week that had sparked controversy, with some educators criticizing the move as potentially encouraging laziness.
The new statement seeks to clarify the distinction between exam requirements and admission criteria. “All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.It further explained that “this adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects.” The Ministry emphasized that “English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning.”
The initial reform was intended to expand access to tertiary education. The Ministry had previously noted that while over two million candidates sit for the UTME annually, only about 700,000 gain admission, and the change aimed to remove a barrier for qualified candidates in specific fields.
When asked if the latest statement represented a reversal of the earlier policy, Boriowo stated, “No, no U-turn — it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”
The Ministry has urged students and parents to rely on official channels for verified policy updates.
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