Pupils writing an examination
By Shade DamiroÂ
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a landmark reform stating that Nigerian senior secondary school students in the Arts and Humanities will no longer be required to have a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) — conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or the National Examination Council (NECO) — as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.
For decades, admission seekers across all disciplines — including Arts, Sciences, and Social Sciences — were mandated to secure at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, to gain admission into higher institutions.
The new rule effectively removes that long-standing requirement for Arts and Humanities students, giving them broader access to tertiary education opportunities.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the decision is part of the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, designed to remove academic barriers while maintaining educational standards across the country.
“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide,” the statement read.
Under the new guidelines:
Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains compulsory only 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.
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.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a “deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education and promote fairness for students pursuing non-science disciplines.”
He emphasized that the change aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that capable students are not denied higher education opportunities due to subject requirements that are not relevant to their chosen fields.
