The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent streamlining of admission requirements into tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry clarified that the new policy does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects, saying rather, it introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to admission into higher institutions.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, explained that the policy reform was introduced to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, and access to higher education.
He said the measure would prevent capable and deserving students from being denied admission due to credit deficiencies in subjects not directly related to their chosen fields of study.
According to the statement, the decision to streamline O’Level requirements was taken to modernise Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices.
It added that tertiary institutions would henceforth have the flexibility to admit students into specific programmes where credit passes in certain subjects are not compulsory, while English and Mathematics remain mandatory for all candidates to register and sit for.
“The new policy does not remove the need for students to study or take English and Mathematics. It only allows institutions to exercise reasonable flexibility in considering subject relevance during admission, depending on the programme,” the statement read in part.
The Ministry noted that the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development as it aims to broaden academic pathways, encourage diverse learning opportunities, and recognise different intellectual strengths among students while maintaining educational quality and standards.
It further stressed that English Language and Mathematics remain central to communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, describing them as foundational subjects essential for personal and national development.
The Ministry urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely only on verified information from the Federal Ministry of Education’s official communication channels and social media platforms to avoid misinformation regarding education policies.
Reiterating its commitment to quality education, the Ministry pledged continued collaboration with regulatory bodies, examination councils, and tertiary institutions to ensure smooth implementation of the new admission guidelines.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains steadfast in building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners,” the statement concluded.