The Federal Government has clarified that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their O’Level examinations.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government explained that the new policy on streamlined admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary following widespread misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, stated that the reform was introduced to promote “flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness” in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied access due to deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen courses.
“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,” Alausa said.
He added that the new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects imbalances in the previous admission system by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, but all students must still register and sit for both.
The ministry further clarified that the adjustment affects only admission criteria for specific programmes, not the requirement to study or take the subjects.
“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation,” the statement partly read.
The ministry said the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development while maintaining education quality and integrity.
It urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely only on official communication channels and verified social media pages of the ministry for accurate information on ongoing reforms and policies.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.
This newspaper had earlier reported that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.
However, the ministry clarified that all candidates must still take the subject.
