In a landmark move that’s being celebrated across the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced a sweeping reform to tertiary education entry requirements — and it’s big news for Arts and Humanities students!
For decades, aspiring students in the Arts have had to meet the same entry requirement as their peers in Science and Social Science: five credits including Mathematics and English. But now, the rulebook has changed — for the better.
Mathematics is no longer compulsory for Arts students seeking university or polytechnic admission!
The Federal Ministry of Education made the exciting announcement this Tuesday, unveiling revised guidelines aimed at making higher education more accessible, inclusive, and fair — without compromising academic standards.
“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers,” said Ministry spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo.
Here’s what’s new in the updated entry framework:
• Universities: Arts and Humanities students now need five credit passes, including English, but Mathematics is only required for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
• Polytechnics (ND Level): Maths is only compulsory for science-related programs. Arts and other non-science courses require four credits, including English.
• Colleges of Education: English is required for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics remains compulsory only for Science, Vocational, and Technical disciplines.
Why this matters
According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the reform is part of a deliberate strategy to expand access to tertiary education. The goal? To bridge the massive gap between the 2 million students who sit for the UTME each year and the 700,000 who actually gain admission.
“This is about fairness and opportunity,” the Minister said. “We’re putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action — ensuring that more of our youth have a chance to learn, grow, and succeed.”
More Access, More Opportunities
With this reform, the average annual admission capacity is expected to rise from 700,000 to over 1 million students, opening the doors for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students every year.
This is a victory for equity, common sense, and the future of Nigerian education. Students who once felt blocked by a single subject now have a clear path to chase their dreams in literature, history, languages, philosophy, and more.
So here’s to the dreamers, the poets, the thinkers, and the storytellers — the classroom just got a little closer.
