The Federal Government has clarified that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent review of admission requirements into tertiary institutions.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Education said the new admission framework does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary after several people misinterpreted the new O’Level admission policy.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was designed to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions. He said the aim was to ensure that capable students are not denied access to higher institutions because of weaknesses in subjects unrelated to their chosen fields.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa stated.
He added that the new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects past imbalances by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes even when a credit pass in Mathematics or English is not compulsory — but all students must still register and sit for both subjects.
The ministry further stressed that the adjustment only affects admission requirements for specific courses, not the obligation to study or take the subjects.
“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 statement partly read.
It also noted that the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while maintaining education quality and integrity.
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Students, parents, and education stakeholders were advised to rely only on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media pages for accurate information about ongoing reforms and policies.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.
Earlier reports indicated that the government had adjusted admission rules to allow students in arts and humanities to gain admission into universities and polytechnics without necessarily having a credit in Mathematics, depending on their chosen courses.
