The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O’Level examinations.
This clarification comes barely a week after reports suggested that the subject had been made optional for students in the arts and humanities.
In a fresh statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folashade, explained that although new admission guidelines allow flexibility for some courses, every student must still register and sit for both English Language and Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.
According to her, the recent review was intended to widen access to higher education, not to remove the requirement to take the subjects. She clarified that while certain institutions might now admit candidates into specific programmes that don’t demand a credit pass in Mathematics or English, these subjects remain mandatory components of the O’Level exams.
“This adjustment affects only the admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she added.
Folashade explained that the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to promote equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, describing English and Mathematics as “essential tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning.”
She also cautioned students, parents, and stakeholders to rely only on official channels for verified updates on education policies.
When asked if the latest statement represented a policy reversal, the ministry’s spokesperson responded, “No, it’s not a U-turn. It’s simply a clarification to ensure that the admission reforms are properly understood. The goal remains to expand access to tertiary education.”
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