The Federal Government clarified its earlier decision by making Mathematics a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations.
Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folashade confirmed this in a statement released on Sunday, October 19th.
Until the recent reversal, Boriowo had announced on Tuesday, October 14th, that students of senior secondary school in the arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for tertiary admissions.
The spokesperson had initially confirmed that the decision became necessary after years of restricted access, which denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities.
It was also noted that over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination annually, but only about 700,000 gain admission.
Although, the reform had generated controversy, some educational stakeholders condemned it, saying it would further encourage laziness among students and negatively impact their academic performance.
However, the latest statement was clear:
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.
The statement added that while institutions may now admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.
“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she clarified.
According to the statement, the reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the Ministry noted.
The Ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates
Asked if the new development meant a U-turn on the earlier stance of the ministry, Boriowo said, “No, no U-turn — it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”
