FG Clarifies: Mathematics Still Compulsory for O’Level Students
By Danfodio Voice
The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students sitting for their Ordinary Level (O’Level) examinations, regardless of their intended field of study.
This clarification came following public confusion over an earlier announcement suggesting that students in the arts and humanities might no longer be required to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics for tertiary education admission.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folashade, emphasized that all students must continue to register and sit for both English Language and Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O’Level examinations, the statement read.
Boriowo explained that while the new admission guidelines recently approved by the Ministry allow flexibility in the credit requirements for specific programmes, this does not exempt candidates from writing the two subjects.
This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects, she clarified.
Background of the Confusion
Earlier last week, Boriowo had announced that candidates in the arts and humanities seeking admission into tertiary institutions might not necessarily need a credit pass in Mathematics to qualify for certain programmes. The announcement, which was widely reported, was intended to ease admission bottlenecks for students who perform well in other core subjects but struggle with Mathematics.
According to her earlier statement, the reform was designed to expand access to higher education after years of restricted opportunities that denied many qualified candidates admission.
She noted that despite over two million candidates writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, fewer than 700,000 students secure admission into tertiary institutions.
However, the policy shift quickly sparked nationwide debate among educators, parents, and policymakers. Some educationists argued that dropping Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for certain programmes could lower academic standards and weaken students’ analytical skills.
They contended that Mathematics, alongside English, plays a vital role in building logical reasoning, critical thinking, and quantitative literacy skills considered essential for both academic and professional success, even outside the sciences.
Government Clarifies Position
In her Sunday statement, Boriowo sought to clear up the misunderstanding. She stressed that the earlier communication was misinterpreted and that the Ministry’s stance had been wrongly reported as a complete policy reversal.
There is no U-turn, she said. It’s a clarification on streamlined admission requirements designed to expand access to tertiary education. Students must still sit for Mathematics and English during their O-Level examinations.
She further explained that under the new guidelines, some universities and colleges may choose to admit students into specific programmes where a credit in Mathematics or English is not mandatory, but the two subjects remain part of the examination requirements at the secondary level.
This, she added, aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda for equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.
English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, the Ministry noted.
Stakeholders React
Education stakeholders have welcomed the clarification, saying it provides a necessary balance between maintaining standards and promoting access.
Dr. Grace Adeyemi, an education policy analyst based in Lagos, said the Ministry’s position was a fair middle ground.
What the Ministry has done is sensible. They’re keeping Mathematics as a compulsory subject while giving tertiary institutions more autonomy to decide which programmes truly need a credit pass in it, she said.
Others, however, urged the government to accompany such reforms with stronger teaching and learning support systems, particularly in rural and public schools where students often struggle most with Mathematics and English.
The issue isn’t about the requirement, said a secondary school principal in Kaduna. It’s about improving how these subjects are taught and making students less afraid of them.
Advisory to the Public
The Ministry of Education has urged students, parents, and the general public to rely only on official communication channels for updates on admission and curriculum policies.
We appeal to the public not to rely on social media rumours or misinterpreted headlines, Boriowo said. All verified information will be released directly through the Ministry’s official platforms.
With this clarification, Mathematics and English remain firmly in place as core O’Level subjects reinforcing their role as foundational pillars of Nigeria’s education system.