From Voctor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has clarified that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent adjustments to university and polytechnic admission requirements.
In a statement on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Education explained that the revised admission policy does not exempt any student from taking or registering for the two core subjects.
According to the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary following widespread misinterpretations of the newly introduced O’Level admission framework.
Earlier reports indicated that under the new policy, students in arts and humanities may be admitted into tertiary institutions without a credit in Mathematics, provided it is not a core requirement for their chosen field.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the reform was designed to promote flexibility, fairness, and inclusiveness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that qualified candidates are not disqualified over deficiencies in subjects irrelevant to their chosen courses.
“This reform supports the federal government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, broadening academic pathways and recognising diverse strengths among learners.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. The adjustment affects only the admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects”, the minister clarified.
Alausa emphasised that the reform aligns with global best practices, correcting previous imbalances by allowing institutions to consider candidates for certain programmes where a credit pass in Mathematics or English is not compulsory. However, all students must still register and sit for both subjects in their O’Level exams.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects not directly related to their fields of study”, he added.
The ministry noted that the policy only affects admission criteria for specific programmes, not the requirement to study or take the subjects.
“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation”, the statement read.
