In a significant shift aimed at broadening access to higher education, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that Mathematics will no longer be a mandatory subject for students aspiring to pursue Arts and Humanities-related courses in tertiary institutions. This policy change, announced on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, seeks to dismantle longstanding hurdles that have often deterred talented individuals from fields outside the sciences, while ensuring that core academic integrity remains intact.
The announcement comes as part of a broader revision to the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. These updated guidelines apply uniformly across various educational bodies, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs). By relaxing the Mathematics requirement specifically for non-science streams, the government hopes to foster a more inclusive educational landscape, allowing students to align their secondary school preparations more closely with their chosen career paths.
The ministry's spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, issued a detailed statement outlining the rationale and specifics of the new framework. "The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards," the statement emphasized. This move is seen as a response to longstanding criticisms that rigid subject requirements, particularly the compulsory inclusion of Mathematics in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or equivalent for all admissions, have disproportionately affected students inclined towards creative, linguistic, or social disciplines.
Under the previous system, Mathematics was often a universal prerequisite, even for programs in literature, history, philosophy, or languages. This one-size-fits-all approach stemmed from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policies and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO) credit pass mandates. Critics argued that it forced many students to grapple with a subject they might never use in their professional lives, leading to higher failure rates and dropout considerations. For instance, a student passionate about theater arts or international relations might excel in English, Literature-in-English, Government, and Civic Education but falter in Mathematics, thereby missing out on university spots.
Now, with this reform, the entry criteria have been tailored to better reflect the demands of different academic domains. For universities, the minimum requirement remains five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in no more than two sittings of the SSCE (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB). However, Mathematics is now explicitly mandatory only for courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Social Sciences. This means that for pure Arts and Humanities programs—such as Law (which often blends humanities), Fine Arts, Linguistics, or Religious Studies—applicants can proceed without a Mathematics credit, provided they meet the other subject-specific needs.
The policy extends to polytechnics, where distinctions are made between National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels. At the ND level, non-science courses require a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language compulsory. Science-related programs, conversely, still demand Mathematics. This differentiation acknowledges the practical, hands-on nature of polytechnic education, where technical skills in fields like business administration or mass communication do not necessitate advanced mathematical proficiency from the outset.
For HND programs in polytechnics, the bar is set at five credit passes, including both English Language and Mathematics universally. This slight variation ensures that students advancing to higher levels have a foundational numeracy skill, which could be useful in research, data handling, or administrative roles even in non-technical fields. Education experts suggest this could prevent skill gaps in a job market increasingly influenced by digital tools, where basic math literacy aids in budgeting, statistics, or even content analytics for media professionals.
Colleges of Education, which train future teachers through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), follow a similar streamlined approach. A minimum of four credit passes is required, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses. Mathematics is reserved for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs. This is particularly impactful for aspiring educators in primary or secondary schools focusing on languages, history, or social studies, where pedagogical emphasis is on communication and critical thinking rather than equations.
Innovation Enterprise Institutions, often overlooked but vital for entrepreneurial and vocational training, are also covered under these guidelines. These institutions, which offer specialized diplomas in areas like fashion design, journalism, or performing arts, will benefit from the flexibility, potentially attracting more innovators who might have been barred by unrelated subject failures.
The backdrop to this policy is rooted in Nigeria's evolving education sector challenges. With over 200 universities, 100 polytechnics, and numerous colleges, admission competition is fierce, with JAMB recording millions of applicants annually. In 2023 alone, about 1.8 million candidates sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but only a fraction secured spots due to credit deficiencies. Mathematics has consistently been one of the subjects with the highest failure rates in WAEC exams—often hovering around 50-60% pass rates in recent years—exacerbating inequalities, especially in rural areas with limited access to quality math tutoring.
Proponents of the change, including education advocates and parent groups, hail it as a progressive step towards student-centered learning. Dr. Aisha Mohammed, a lecturer in Educational Policy at the University of Lagos, commented in a recent interview that "this aligns Nigeria with global trends, like in the UK or USA, where humanities admissions prioritize relevant subjects. It reduces stress on students and allows specialization earlier." Indeed, countries like Canada and Australia have long adopted subject-specific prerequisites, leading to higher retention rates in arts programs.
However, not everyone is convinced. Critics from STEM advocacy groups worry that de-emphasizing Mathematics could widen the skills gap in a tech-driven economy. "Even artists need math for digital design or budget management," argued Engineer Tunde Ogunleye of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. There's also concern about implementation: Will JAMB update its brochure promptly? How will universities verify "relevant subjects"? The ministry has assured that detailed subject combinations will be published soon, with stakeholder consultations involving vice-chancellors and rectors.
The timing of the announcement, just months before the 2025 admission cycle, gives institutions time to adjust. For current SSCE candidates, this could mean redirecting study efforts—focusing on excelling in four key subjects rather than five if Math isn't their strength. Parents and guidance counselors are advised to consult the updated JAMB guidelines online.
Economically, this could boost enrollment in humanities, addressing underrepresentation. Nigeria's creative industry—Nollywood, music, literature—contributes billions to GDP, yet suffers from talent shortages due to educational bottlenecks. By removing this barrier, the government may nurture more writers, historians, and policymakers needed for national development.
In essence, this policy is more than a tweak; it's a paradigm shift towards equitable education. As Folasade Boriowo's statement concludes, the goal is to "remove unnecessary barriers" without compromising standards. For millions of Nigerian youths, this opens doors previously bolted by a single subject's grade. As the education landscape evolves, monitoring its impact on graduate quality and employability will be crucial. With English Language retaining its compulsory status across boards—underscoring communication's universal importance—the framework balances flexibility with fundamentals.
This reform arrives amid broader initiatives, like the Student Loan Scheme and digital learning pushes post-COVID. If successful, it could inspire similar relaxations in other subjects, further democratizing tertiary education in Africa's most populous nation. Students, educators, and policymakers alike will watch closely as the first batch under these rules matriculates, potentially marking a new era of accessible, relevant higher learning.
