The Federal Government (FG) has reaffirmed that all students must take mathematics in their O-Level examinations. This clarification follows last week’s announcement that art students would no longer need a credit pass in mathematics for university admission.
Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, stated in a new release that the O-Level mathematics requirement still stands. “All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” she said.
Last Tuesday, Boriowo announced that students in the arts and humanities would no longer need a credit pass in mathematics on their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to gain admission. She explained that the reform aimed to address access restrictions that excluded many qualified applicants from tertiary institutions.
“Only about 700,000 of the more than two million candidates who sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination yearly gain admission,” Boriowo noted.
In her updated statement, she clarified that the O-Level mathematics requirement remains in place for registration, even though tertiary institutions may now accept candidates without a math credit for certain programs.
“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she explained.
The ministry emphasized that the reform supports the Federal Government’s goals of inclusion, fairness, and human capital development. “English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” it stated.
Boriowo urged parents, students, and stakeholders to rely on official communication channels for verified updates. When asked if the clarification meant a policy reversal, she replied, “No, no U-turn. It’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”
