Mathematics No Longer Compulsory for Arts Students – FG!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Federal Government has announced a major reform in Nigeria’s tertiary education entry requirements, declaring that Mathematics will no longer be a mandatory subject for students seeking admission into arts and humanities programmes.

What We Know:

• The new policy was approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory bodies.
• It applies to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
• Subjects like Literature-in-English, CRS/IRS, History, and Government will now take precedence for arts-based courses.

Government’s Rationale:

• The move is part of a broader effort to remove barriers to higher education and promote academic diversity.
• Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman stated the change would “open up opportunities for more students with talent in non-STEM fields.”

Why It Matters:

• It aligns with global trends toward flexible admission criteria.
• It addresses long-standing concerns that Mathematics requirements unfairly hindered arts-inclined students.

Citations:

1. Federal Ministry of Education – Press Briefing, Oct. 15, 2025
2. National Universities Commission (NUC) – www.nuc.edu.ng
3. Vanguard Nigeria – www.vanguardngr.com

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