ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has reaffirmed that mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all candidates sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), clarifying that recent changes to Nigeria’s tertiary admission policy do not affect secondary education requirements.
In a statement on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Boriowo Folasade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, said the clarification was necessary following public confusion over the new tertiary admission guidelines announced last week.
The revised policy had stated that mathematics would no longer be required for admission into universities to study non-science courses, a move that drew widespread reactions across the country.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had said the decision was meant to “democratise access to tertiary education and empower Nigerian youths.”
The ministry, however, clarified that the revision applies only to tertiary admission processes and does not alter the SSCE structure or its compulsory subjects.
“The revision affects admission requirements at the tertiary level only and does not change the existing secondary school curriculum,” the statement read.
“All students must continue to take both English and Mathematics as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation.”
Folasade added that both subjects are essential tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, describing them as the “bedrock of knowledge acquisition.”
Under the new policy framework, tertiary admission seekers are required to secure at least five credit passes, including English, in no more than two sittings.
Mathematics will now be compulsory only for students applying to study science, technology, and social science disciplines.
Alausa defended the revision, saying it was designed to make university admission more inclusive without compromising academic standards.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” the minister explained.
The education ministry also reaffirmed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) remains fully responsible for coordinating all tertiary admission processes across Nigerian institutions.
Officials said the public should disregard claims that mathematics had been “removed” from the national school curriculum, noting that both English and Mathematics would continue to serve as the core pillars of basic education in Nigeria.
