FG Drops Mathematics as Admission Requirement for Arts Students

In a major policy shift, the Federal Government has announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study Arts and Humanities-related courses.

The decision, unveiled on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, takes immediate effect and applies to all universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across Nigeria.

New Guidelines for Tertiary Admissions

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the new National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions were introduced to remove unnecessary hurdles in the admission process while maintaining academic standards.

“The revised guidelines are designed to eliminate barriers that limit access to higher education, especially for students pursuing courses in the Arts and Humanities,” Boriowo explained.

What the New Policy Means

Under the updated framework, students applying for Arts and Humanities courses will now need a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, in not more than two sittings but Mathematics will no longer be compulsory.

However, Mathematics remains mandatory for candidates applying for Science, Technology, and Social Science-related courses.

For other tertiary institutions, the breakdown is as follows:

Universities: Five credit passes, including English Language. Mathematics is only compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programs.

Polytechnics (ND Level): Four credit passes, including English for non-science courses. Mathematics remains required for science programs.

Polytechnics (HND Level): Five credit passes, including both English and Mathematics.

Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Four credit passes, with English compulsory for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics remains necessary for Science, Vocational, and Technical subjects.

Why the Change Matters

The new admission rule has been widely seen as a relief for many students who have struggled with Mathematics despite excelling in Arts-related subjects. Education experts say the reform could encourage more students to pursue creative and humanities disciplines without unnecessary academic bottlenecks.

The Federal Government emphasized that the move is part of ongoing efforts to make tertiary education more inclusive and aligned with global standards.

With this development, aspiring students in Nigeria’s Arts and Humanities fields may finally have one less hurdle on their path to higher education.