The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all O’Level students to register and sit for, despite the recently streamlined tertiary admission requirements.
In a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade,the government clarified that the new policy on admission flexibility does not exempt any student from registering or writing the two core subjects. Instead, it introduces a more inclusive and adaptable framework for university and tertiary institution admissions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the reform aims to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, and flexibility in the admission process, ensuring that qualified students are not unfairly excluded from higher education due to deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen fields of study.
According to the Ministry, the streamlining of O’Level requirements is part of ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria’s education system in line with international best practices. The reform allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in English or Mathematics are not mandatory, but still requires all students to register and sit for both subjects in their Senior School Certificate Examinations.
“This initiative promotes equitable access and recognizes the diverse intellectual strengths of Nigerian students,” the statement read. “It seeks to remove unnecessary admission barriers while maintaining educational quality and standards.”
The Ministry further emphasized that English and Mathematics remain essential for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, describing them as “fundamental pillars of a sound educational foundation.”
Reassuring the public of its commitment to high academic standards and inclusivity, the Ministry said it would continue working with examination bodies, regulatory agencies, and tertiary institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the new guidelines.
Students, parents, and education stakeholders were urged to rely solely on verified communication channels of the Federal Ministry of Education for accurate information on education policies and reforms.
“The Ministry remains steadfast in building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners,” the statement concluded.
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