Federal Government Confirms Mathematics Still Mandatory For All O-Level Students

The Federal Government has clarified that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations in Nigeria.

The clarification came in a statement on Sunday by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, following public confusion over earlier remarks suggesting that students in the arts and humanities might not need a credit in Mathematics for tertiary admissions.

Earlier in the week, Boriowo had announced that some tertiary programmes could admit students without a credit in English or Mathematics. The announcement sparked debate, with critics arguing it could lower academic standards and encourage students to take the subjects less seriously.

In the latest statement, Boriowo emphasized that all students are still required to register and sit for both Mathematics and English Language in their O-Level exams.

“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement said.

She clarified that the adjustment only affects admission requirements, allowing some institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where a credit in one of the subjects is not mandatory.

The Ministry said the reform is part of the Federal Government’s effort to promote equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while noting that Mathematics and English remain crucial for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning.

Students, parents, and stakeholders were urged to rely on official government channels for accurate updates on education policies.

When asked if this represented a reversal of the earlier position, Boriowo said, “No, it’s not a U-turn — it’s a clarification of the admission requirements aimed at expanding access to tertiary education.”