By Muhammad Mamman
An policy shift by the Federal Government has sparked nationwide debate after the Ministry of Education announced that mathematics will no longer be a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission into arts and humanities programmes.
For many learners, the decision represents long-awaited relief. One undergraduate of Mass Communication recalled the struggles she faced before securing admission: “I wrote the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) ten times because I couldn’t get a credit in mathematics. It delayed my education for years.”
Her experience mirrors that of thousands of students whose academic progression has been stalled by repeated failures in mathematics, despite strong performance in core arts subjects such as literature, government, and English.
According to the Ministry, the new policy aims to reduce “unnecessary barriers” to higher education and allow students to pursue fields aligned with their strengths, particularly disciplines that do not rely heavily on mathematical proficiency.
Education analysts, however, are divided. Supporters argue that the change will ease the pressure on students and improve enrolment in art-related courses, many of which have suffered declining numbers. They contend that Nigeria’s admission framework has long forced students into a one-size-fits-all model that fails to recognise the distinct skillsets required in various fields of study.
Critics warn that removing mathematics as a standard benchmark may dilute academic quality and weaken general numeracy levels among graduates. Some universities also fear that the policy may create inconsistencies in entry requirements across departments and institutions.
The Ministry of Education maintains that the reform is part of a broader effort to modernise the curriculum and align it with global educational practice, where mathematics is not always mandated for arts-centric pathways.
As schools, parents, and policymakers continue to weigh the merits, one thing is clear: the decision is set to reshape the academic landscape for thousands of Nigeria’s aspiring arts and humanities students.
