The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant change in admission requirements for tertiary institutions, declaring that mathematics will no longer be compulsory for students seeking admission into arts and humanities programs. The new guideline was released on October 14, 2025, by the Ministry of Education as part of the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
According to the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the amendment aims to broaden access to higher education while maintaining academic standards. Under the new framework, arts and humanities students will no longer be required to have a credit pass in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to qualify for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide.
The guidelines maintain that mathematics remains a compulsory subject for students applying for science, technology, engineering, and social science courses across all institutions. For polytechnic National Diploma (ND) admissions in non-science courses, students only need a minimum of four credit passes, including English Language, while mathematics continues to be mandatory for science-related programs.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa described the reform as “a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education” and remove unnecessary barriers that have traditionally hindered students in arts and humanities from gaining admission.
The policy shift is expected to encourage more students to pursue studies in arts and social sciences without the burden of meeting the mathematics requirement, which some had viewed as restrictive or irrelevant to their fields.
This decision reflects the government’s commitment to inclusivity and flexibility in academic admission processes, catering to the diverse educational needs and career paths of Nigerian students.