Dare Babalola
The Federal Government has announced a significant relaxation in admission requirements for arts and humanities students, scrapping the compulsory mathematics credit requirement for university and polytechnics admissions.
This was made known on Tuesday in a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Boriowo noted that students in that category will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council.
“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.
“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:
“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,” Boriowo said.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also emphasised that the decision to scrap the compulsory mathematics requirement for arts students is a strategic move aimed at increasing access to tertiary education.
By removing this barrier, the government hopes to create a more inclusive and flexible education system, allowing students from diverse backgrounds and skill sets to pursue their academic interests without unnecessary obstacles.
This reform is expected to benefit students who excel in arts and humanities but struggle with mathematics, enabling them to explore their potential in various fields such as languages, social sciences, and creative arts, without being hindered by a mathematics requirement.
For years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions.
