Korede Abdullah 
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a landmark policy reform exempting arts and humanities students from the long-standing requirement of obtaining a credit pass in mathematics for admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
The policy, effective from the next admission cycle, applies to results issued by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
For decades, all admission seekers were required to have five credits — including English Language and Mathematics — to qualify for tertiary studies, regardless of discipline.
According to a statement on Tuesday by Ministry spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the reform is part of the “revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions” aimed at removing barriers while maintaining academic standards.
“The new framework covers universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation academies,” the statement said. Under the rules, mathematics remains compulsory only for science, technology, and social science courses, while English remains mandatory for all programmes.
Education stakeholders have hailed the policy.
“This is a brilliant reform that will open more doors for arts students,” said education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin.
Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa described the move as “a deliberate effort to expand access to higher education and promote fairness for students in the arts and humanities.”
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Otamere Gladness 
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim