The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all candidates writing the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, every student must register and sit for both English Language and Mathematics in their O’Level examinations, regardless of their chosen field of study.
The clarification comes days after widespread confusion followed an earlier statement by Boriowo, which suggested that students in arts and humanities would no longer be required to obtain a credit in Mathematics for university admission.
The initial report had sparked intense debate across education circles, with many teachers and policy analysts warning that exempting arts students from Mathematics could reduce academic standards and weaken critical reasoning skills.
Addressing the controversy, Boriowo clarified that while admission requirements for some tertiary courses may now allow flexibility regarding credit passes in Mathematics or English, this adjustment does not remove the obligation to sit for both subjects at the O’Level level.
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.
“The new admission guidelines only allow certain programs to admit candidates even if they lack a credit in one of these subjects.”
She stressed that the update was meant to expand access to higher education, especially for qualified candidates previously denied admission due to minor deficiencies in Mathematics or English.
“The adjustment affects only admission criteria, not examination requirements,” she said.
“It aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.”
The Ministry emphasized that English and Mathematics remain foundational tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, urging students, parents, and institutions to rely on verified government sources for education policy updates.
When asked if the clarification amounted to a policy reversal, Boriowo said, “No, it’s not a U-turn.
It’s simply a clarification to ensure better understanding of the streamlined admission process.”
