Federal Govt Clarifies, Says Mathematics Remains Compulsory For O’Level Students

The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that all students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O’Level examinations.

It will be recalled that a few days ago, the Federal Government announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.

However, clarifying the new reforms, the government said the new policy does not exempt any candidate from these core subjects but instead affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects in O’Level examinations.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was designed to promote fairness and inclusiveness in tertiary education, ensuring that capable students are not denied admission opportunities due to deficiencies in non-core subjects.

“This reform does not remove English and Mathematics from the O’Level curriculum. Every student must still register and sit for both subjects. We have made the admission process more flexible for certain programmes, particularly in the arts and humanities, where credit passes in English or Mathematics may not be compulsory for entry.”

According to the Minister, the streamlining of O’Level admission guidelines aims to modernise Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices.

“We are moving towards a system that recognises diverse talents and competencies. This policy encourages institutions to focus on subject relevance while ensuring that foundational learning in English and Mathematics remains intact.”

The reform, Dr Alausa noted, supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development by broadening academic pathways and recognising varied strengths among learners.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates.

“The Ministry wishes to caution the public against misinformation and urges everyone to seek clarification only through approved government platforms. We aim to ensure no child is left behind in accessing quality and inclusive education.”