The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a major policy change, stating that Nigerian senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities will no longer be required to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) — conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) — as a prerequisite for admission into universities and polytechnics.
Until now, admission seekers in the arts and humanities were mandated to secure five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, just like their counterparts in the sciences and social sciences, to qualify for entry into higher institutions.
According to the ministry via circular released on Tuesday, The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.
The new framework, which applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide, outlines the following:
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.
Reacting to the development, an education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, praised the reform, describing it as a step toward inclusivity and easier access to higher education.
This is a brilliant reform which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers, he said.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that the policy aligns with the government’s broader effort to expand access and opportunities within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
