On 20 October 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education issued a clarification: English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory for all students registering for their O-Level (Senior School Certificate) examinations in Nigeria. This statement comes in response to widespread confusion following earlier comments that seemed to suggest that for certain art and humanities students, a credit pass in Mathematics would no longer be required for university admission.

According to the statement, the reform relates to admission criteria for tertiary institutions, not to the requirement to register for and sit the two core subjects. “This adjustment affects only admission criteria for certain programmes, not the requirement to take these subjects,” the ministry clarified.

Let us take a look at what changed and what did not

What Did not Change is that all students must register for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations because these subjects remain part of the foundation of the senior secondary curriculum because of their importance in communication, reasoning and lifelong learning. The changes here entails that the reform relates to admission requirements into tertiary programmes. For specific programmes, a credit pass in Mathematics or English may no longer be mandatory though the student still must have attempted the subjects in the O-Level. In other words: you must sit the subjects, but for some programmes you might not need to have a “credit” in one of them to gain admission. The ministry emphasised the flexibility is for certain pathways, not a total removal of the requirement.

Why the Reform Was Introduced

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform aims to promote flexibility, inclusiveness and fairness in access to higher education. Many qualified students were previously denied admission because they lacked credit passes in subjects that were not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study. For example, students studying arts or humanities may find some science-heavy subjects difficult, yet the credit pass requirement in Mathematics had been a barrier even when Maths was not central to their intended course of study. By adjusting admission criteria, while keeping the subjects compulsory to sit, the government intends to widen access without lowering overall standards. According to Punch NewsPaper, “Under the new framework, applicants in the arts will be required to score a minimum of five credits in five relevant subjects, including English Language, for admissions to universities, while mathematics is mandatory for science, technology and social science courses. At the HND level, applicants must possess credits in at least five subjects, including mathematics and English. ND students are expected to possess a minimum of four credits in relevant subjects, including English for non-science courses and mathematics for science-related programmes. Arts and social science applicants at the NCE level are required to score a minimum of four credits, including English Language, while math is required for their science, vocational and technical counterparts.”

The Implications for Students, Parents, Schools

For Students - Register and study fully, regardless of the programme you intend to pursue in university, make sure you are registered for both English and Mathematics in your SSCE (O-Level). Do not assume pass grade is enough, even if some programmes may waive the credit pass in one of these subjects, having strong results remains an advantage. Course choice matters, if you plan to study a subject that heavily relies on Maths (engineering, computer science, etc.), a credit pass in Mathematics will still likely be required.

For Parents - Support the core subjects, make sure your child takes both subjects seriously, they remain foundational. Monitor course requirements, before university admission, check specific programme requirements so you understand whether credit passes will still matter in your child’s discipline of choice. Stay Informed as the ministry urged stakeholders to rely on official channels and avoid misinformation.

For Schools & Educators - Ensure Registration Compliance, this means that schools must still ensure all students are registered for the two subjects. Clarify to students, schools should communicate that sitting the subjects is compulsory, even if credit pass is not mandatory for every programme. Focus on quality teaching, while flexibility increases access, quality of education and teaching remains essential, especially in subjects foundational like English and Mathematics.

Benefits and Concerns

The benefit of this is that it increases access, enabling more students to gain entry into tertiary education when not penalized solely by missing credit in irrelevant subjects. It helps in the recognition of diverse strengths, the reform acknowledges that students excel in different areas, and not all disciplines must demand strong Maths or English credit. Also, it keeps the foundation maintained, that is the core requirement to sit both subjects upholds a minimum educational standard.

The potential concerns here includes: Complacency Risk: Some commentators warn that if credit passes become optional for certain areas, students may not prioritize the subjects, weakening foundational skills. Mixed Messaging: This is because the fine line between “must sit” and “credit pass not compulsory” may confuse students, parents and schools unless clearly communicated. Lastly, Quality Assurance: While access improves, ensuring that students are well-prepared remains key, especially if they enter tertiary programmes with weak results in foundational subjects.

The announcement that English and Mathematics remain compulsory to sit for all O-Level students is a welcome clarification, it saves confusion and prevents potentially harmful misinterpretations. At the same time, the reform around admission criteria signals a shift towards a more inclusive education system in Nigeria. However, access should not come at the expense of foundation. These two subjects are not just exam requirements, they are tools for reasoning, communication and learning across life. Students, parents and educators must treat them seriously regardless of what university admission rules say.

In the words of the ministry: “English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning and lifelong learning.” The real test now will be implementation: how well schools, examination bodies, and tertiary institutions align with the new guidelines, and for students, how well they prepare, not just for admission, but for life.