FG Removes Mathematics as Compulsory Subject for Arts Students — What It Means for 2025 Admissions
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major change to national admission guidelines: Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes at universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This policy — described by the Ministry of Education as part of a revised national framework to broaden access to tertiary education — aims to ease barriers facing arts-focused students while retaining academic standards for science-related courses.
What the new guideline says (summary)
According to the statement circulated by the Ministry and reported by national outlets, the core points are:
- Universities: Applicants for Arts and Humanities programmes will need a minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects (including English) in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is no longer mandatory for Arts/Humanities admissions but remains compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
- Polytechnics (ND level): A minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects; English is compulsory for non-science courses, while Mathematics remains required for science-related programmes.
- Colleges of Education (NCE/B.Ed): Requirements vary by programme, but generally English is compulsory for Arts/Social Sciences; Mathematics remains mandatory for Science, Technical, and Vocational courses. Some B.Ed and professional routes will still ask for Mathematics depending on the subject taught.
Why the change was made
The Ministry says the revision is intended to make tertiary admission more inclusive and remove an unnecessary barrier for students who want to pursue pure arts and humanities courses such as English, History, Theatre Arts, and Religious Studies. Officials framed the reform as part of a broader push to align entry requirements with the specific academic demands of each programme.
What this means for applicants (quick guide)
- Arts/Humanities applicants: You may no longer need a credit in Mathematics to be considered for most arts programmes — focus on securing five relevant credits including English. Check the specific programme list for any exceptions.
- Science / Social Science / Tech applicants: Nothing changes — Mathematics remains compulsory where it is essential to the course (e.g., Physics, Engineering, Economics, Computer Science).
- Polytechnic and NCE candidates: Confirm whether your chosen course is classified as science-related. Polytechnic ND programmes still expect Maths for science tracks.
- JAMB & UTME: JAMB subject requirements are set per programme. Candidates should check the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) brochure and the specific school’s admission page when registering for UTME/DE. (Schools will update their portals to reflect the new guidelines.)
New subject mapping by faculty / department (practical checklist)
Below is a simple mapping of common faculties/departments and the likely required core subjects under the revised framework. This is intended as a practical guide — always confirm with the particular university or polytechnic.
| Faculty / Department | Core SSCE Credits Likely Required | Mathematics Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Arts → Humanities (e.g., English, History, Languages, Theatre Arts, Philosophy) | 5 credits (including English + relevant arts subjects) | No (Mathematics not compulsory) |
| Law | 5 credits (English, Literature, Government/History, others as listed by the university) | No (unless a specific school stipulates otherwise) |
| Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Political Science) | 5 credits (English + relevant subjects) | Usually No — but some social science routes tied to quantitative methods may ask for Maths; check programme page |
| Economics / Accounting / Finance | 5 credits (English, Mathematics often expected) | Yes — Mathematics usually required (or a strong quantitative subject) |
| Computer Science / Engineering / Physical Sciences | 5 credits (including Mathematics & Physics) | Yes — Mathematics compulsory |
| Education (B.Ed / NCE) – Arts / Social Science specialisations | 4–5 credits (English compulsory) | No for pure Arts specialisations; Yes where teaching Maths or technical subjects |
| Polytechnic ND – Non-science courses | 4 credits (English compulsory) | No for non-science ND courses; Yes for science-related ND courses |
Practical steps for prospective applicants
- Check the admission page of your preferred university/polytechnic for programme-specific entry requirements. (Universities will publish programme brochures and departmental requirements on their portals.)
- When registering for UTME, select subjects that match the programme’s brochure. If you’re in Arts/Humanities, prioritise English and subject combinations relevant to the course.
- If you lack a Mathematics credit but want to study a discipline that now allows entry without Maths, confirm whether the school has bridging or remedial requirements before you matriculate.
Official documents & where to verify
At the time of publication many reputable national outlets have reported the change and attributed it to the Federal Ministry of Education, but candidates should still seek the final published guideline or gazette on the Ministry of Education website and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for authoritative wording. Key news reports are available from major outlets.
Need help? If you want, we can:
- Check a specific university’s admission page and confirm whether they’ve updated their programme requirements. See more education news.
- Draft a short message you can send to your school’s admission office to confirm requirements. Contact us.
Sources: Vanguard, TVC News, Punch, Legit and The Nation (reporting on the Federal Government’s revised admission guidelines).
