The Federal Government has announced a major revision of admission entry requirements into Nigerian tertiary institutions, declaring that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students in the Arts and Humanities seeking admission into universities and polytechnics.

The new policy, announced on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, takes immediate effect and applies to all categories of tertiary institutions across the country — including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions.

For decades, students in the Arts and Humanities had been required, like their counterparts in Science and Social Science disciplines, to obtain five credit passes — including English Language and Mathematics — in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) before being considered for admission.

However, according to the ministry, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are aimed at removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory 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.

Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

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,”
the statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, read in part.

Speaking on the development, an education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, commended the reform, describing it as “a long-overdue and pragmatic step” that would ease access to higher education for many students.

“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers,” Oluwatoyin said.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the policy shift was part of a comprehensive reform to expand access to tertiary education in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Alausa disclosed that the ministry had also approved a broader review of entry requirements to increase annual admissions across tertiary institutions from about 700,000 to one million students.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity,” the minister said.

“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed — putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,” he added.

The ministry emphasised that the revised guidelines are designed to broaden access, promote fairness, and maintain academic quality across all tertiary institutions in the country.