English, Maths Remain Mandatory for O’Level Tertiary Admission, FG Clarifies

 The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Education has clarified that English, Maths still Mandatory for O’Level Students admission requirements into tertiary institution. 

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Education, has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory for students’ O’Level admission requirements into tertiary institutions.

The Ministry clarified that the recently streamlined O-Level admission policy does not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for these two core subjects, but rather introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary admission requirements.

▪ The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the reform aims to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions across the country.

▪ The streamlining ensures that capable and deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study.

▪ The justification for streamlining O-Level admission guidelines is rooted in the need to modernize Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices.

▪ The new framework corrects past imbalances by allowing tertiary institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, while still mandating that all students register and sit for both subjects in their O-Level examinations.

▪ The reform aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development. It broadens academic pathways, encourages diverse learning opportunities, and recognizes different intellectual strengths among students.

▪ By streamlining admission processes, the Ministry aims to remove unnecessary barriers without compromising the quality and integrity of education.

The policy reinforces the central importance of English Language and Mathematics as fundamental tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. 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 adjustment affects only the admission criteria for certain programmes, not the requirement to study or sit for these subjects.

The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to maintaining high educational standards while promoting equity and inclusion. It will continue to work with regulatory bodies, examination councils, and tertiary institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the new guidelines.

The Ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels and social media pages of the Ministry for accurate and up-to-date information regarding policies, reforms, and announcements.

The Federal Ministry of Education remains steadfast in its mission to build a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.

Signed:
Bon Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations