Mathematics still mandatory for O’Level exams despite new admission rules – FG

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all candidates sitting for O’Level examinations.

This clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education.

Earlier in the week, Boriowo had announced that candidates in the arts and humanities streams would no longer need to obtain a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to qualify for tertiary admission.

She explained at the time that the adjustment aimed to widen access to higher education after years of restrictions that had limited admission opportunities for many qualified students.She had said that while more than two million candidates write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination annually, only about 700,000 are eventually admitted.

However, the announcement sparked widespread debate, with several education experts warning that removing Mathematics as a requirement for some courses could promote complacency and weaken academic standards.

In her latest statement, Boriowo clarified that the reform affects only admission criteria, not examination requirements.“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.

The Ministry added that institutions may now admit students into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not compulsory, but the subjects must still be taken during O-Level exams.“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she clarified.

According to the Ministry, the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s broader goal of promoting equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” it noted.

The Ministry also advised students, parents, and stakeholders to rely exclusively on official communication channels for accurate updates on education policies.

When asked if the clarification represented a reversal of the earlier policy, Boriowo responded, “No, no U-turn — it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”