Nigerian Government, on Tuesday, announced that mathematics is no longer be required from students in arts and humanities for admission into tertiary institutions.
Federal Ministry of Education made the announcement, stating that such students will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission.
This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the policy document, "The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.
“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:
“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 said.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.
Before now, students seeking admission, both in science, social sciences and humanities, were required to have five credits, including mathematics and English language.
However, mathematics no longer required for arts students.
