The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that Arts students can now gain admission into tertiary institutions without Mathematics as a requirement. FG in making Mathematics optional for Arts students, said the reform applies to results from both the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO).
Previously, students in arts and humanities were required to obtain at least five credit passes, including mathematics and English, to qualify for higher education. In the new policy of mathematics optional for Arts students, it remains mandatory for science, technology, and social science courses. English continues to be a compulsory subject for all disciplines.
Reforms For Wider Access
The ministry explained that the reform is part of a wider effort to expand access to tertiary education and remove unnecessary barriers. According to the government, the new guidelines will increase the average annual intake of students from about 700,000 to over one million. This creates opportunities for an additional 250,000–300,000 qualified candidates each year.
Education analysts have welcomed the change. Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, speaking to PUNCH, described the reform as “a brilliant move that opens doors for arts students and improves ease of admission across the country.” The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the reform reflects the government’s commitment to fairness, equity, and broader access to learning opportunities for Nigerian youth.
Applicable To Tertiary Institutions
The revised guidelines apply across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies. While mathematics is optional for arts students, it remains compulsory for programs in science, vocational, technical, and social science disciplines. The ministry emphasized that this approach preserves academic standards while improving accessibility.
This policy shift ensures that more students have a fair chance to pursue higher education without being blocked by outdated requirements. In summary, mathematics optional for Arts students create a more inclusive system and empowering thousands of candidates to achieve their academic goals.
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