The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities will no longer need a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC or NECO to gain admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics. For decades, all admission seekers—regardless of their chosen fields—were required to obtain five credits, including English and Mathematics, to qualify for higher education. However, the ministry said this requirement has now been revised to better reflect the needs of each discipline. According to a statement by ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo, the updated National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to “remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.” The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide: Universities: Candidates must have a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses only. Polytechnics (ND Level): A minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects is required, including English for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related ones. Polytechnics (HND Level): Candidates must present five credits, including both English Language and Mathematics. Colleges of Education (NCE Level): A minimum of four credits is needed, with English mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs. Education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin commended the move, describing it as a “brilliant reform” that will ease admission hurdles for many students. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the decision represents a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education across the country.