In a major educational policy shift, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially removed Mathematics as a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into arts and humanities courses across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
According to the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, only English Language remains compulsory for all students, while Mathematics is now optional for those in the arts category. The new rule, announced in October 2025, applies to universities, polytechnics, innovation enterprise institutions, and colleges of education nationwide.
What the Policy Means
Under the new directive:
- Students applying for arts and humanities courses like Law, Mass Communication, Theatre Arts, History, or Linguistics no longer need a credit pass in Mathematics.
- Mathematics remains compulsory for science, technology, and social science programmes.
- Institutions are expected to align their admission processes with the new guidelines immediately.
Education analysts say this policy could open more opportunities for thousands of students who have consistently struggled with Mathematics despite excelling in other subjects relevant to their chosen fields.
