In a decisive move to quell rising public confusion and outrage, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a firm clarification on Sunday, October 19, 2025, declaring that Mathematics remains an indispensable compulsory subject for every student appearing for O’Level examinations. This announcement directly counters viral reports and social media frenzy that falsely claimed the subject had been waived for candidates pursuing arts and humanities streams. The statement, delivered through an official channel by Boriowo Folashade, the eloquent spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, underscores the government's unwavering commitment to upholding core educational standards while addressing the nuances of recent reforms.
The controversy erupted like a storm just days earlier, triggered by an initial ministry pronouncement that appeared to suggest a radical shift: students in non-STEM fields—specifically arts, humanities, and social sciences—would no longer require a credit pass in Mathematics to gain admission into tertiary institutions. This snippet of information spread like wildfire across WhatsApp groups, Twitter (now X), and Nigerian news outlets, igniting debates among parents, teachers, and policymakers. Critics, including prominent educationists like Dr. Aisha Bello of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, lambasted the perceived change as a "dangerous slippery slope" that could erode academic rigor, foster laziness among students, and ultimately weaken Nigeria's global competitiveness in education. "Mathematics isn't just numbers; it's the language of logic and problem-solving. Waiving it sends the wrong message to our youth," Bello argued in a widely shared op-ed.
Public backlash was swift and multifaceted. In Lagos, parent-teacher associations organized impromptu protests outside state education offices, waving placards emblazoned with slogans like "Math Matters for All!" and "Don't Dumb Down Our Kids." On social media, hashtags such as #SaveMathInNigeria and #NoWaiverForMath trended nationwide, amassing over 500,000 posts within 48 hours. Influential voices, from Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji to tech entrepreneur Bosun Tijani, weighed in, with Nnaji tweeting, "As a mother, this scares me. Our children's future can't be optional." Even international observers, including UNESCO's regional education coordinator, expressed concerns, warning that such flexibility might mirror pitfalls seen in underperforming education systems elsewhere in Africa.
Enter the ministry's clarifying statement, a beacon of resolution in the chaos. Folashade, in her meticulously worded release, dismantled the misinformation brick by brick. "All students, irrespective of their chosen field—be it arts, sciences, commercial, or vocational—must register for and sit the examinations in both English Language and Mathematics during their O’Level assessments," she asserted emphatically. This requirement, she explained, is non-negotiable and forms the bedrock of Nigeria's secondary school curriculum, as enshrined in the National Policy on Education.
However, Folashade was quick to delineate the boundaries of the reform, ensuring no one misconstrued the clarification as a U-turn. The recent adjustments, she elaborated, pertain exclusively to university admission criteria under the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Specifically, certain undergraduate programs in arts and humanities—such as History, Literature, or Fine Arts—may now accept candidates without a credit in Mathematics, provided they meet other subject-specific thresholds. "This is not about skipping the exam; it's about targeted flexibility at the entry gate to higher education," the statement read. In essence, students still grind through the rigorous O’Level process, pencils sharpened and calculators at the ready, but universities gain leeway to prioritize relevant competencies for niche courses.
The ministry went further, framing this as a "corrective illumination" rather than a policy reversal. "Misinterpretations arose from incomplete reporting of our reform bulletin. We regret the anxiety caused but stand firm: English and Mathematics are the twin pillars of basic education," Folashade noted. To bolster this, the statement referenced data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), revealing that over 95% of secondary school graduates already attempt these subjects annually, with pass rates hovering at 65% for Mathematics—a statistic the government aims to elevate through enhanced teacher training and digital resources.
Education experts have hailed the clarification as a masterstroke of communication. Professor Chukwuma Soludo, former Central Bank Governor and education advocate, praised it in an interview with Channels TV: "This restores balance. It introduces merit-based admission without compromising foundational skills. Nigeria's education system was crying for such nuance." Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issued a supportive communique, emphasizing that the reform aligns with global trends, like the UK's A-Level flexibility or the US's SAT-optional policies, but with safeguards intact.
Looking ahead, the ministry outlined proactive steps to prevent future faux pas. These include a nationwide sensitization campaign via radio jingles, school assemblies, and a dedicated helpline (0800-EDU-CLARITY). Additionally, an updated JAMB brochure—set for release by November 1, 2025—will explicitly list program-specific requirements, demystifying the process for over 2 million annual candidates.
This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes in Nigeria's education arena, where a single misinterpreted tweet can spark national discourse. By reaffirming Mathematics and English as compulsory sentinels of learning, the Federal Government not only douses the immediate fire but also signals a progressive vision: one where basic competencies are universal, yet pathways to specialization are inclusive. As students across the 36 states return to their revision timetables—algebra equations and grammar drills intact—parents can breathe easier. The message is clear: In Nigeria's classrooms, no one gets a free pass on the fundamentals. This clarification isn't just policy; it's a promise to build a mathematically literate nation, one compulsory exam at a time.
