The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all secondary school students registering for their O’Level examinations, clarifying that the recently streamlined admission requirements into tertiary institutions do not remove the need to sit for these two core subjects.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 18, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government explained that the new policy was introduced to make the tertiary admission process more inclusive and flexible—not to lower educational standards or exempt students from the fundamental subjects.
According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, the reform seeks to promote fairness and equal access to higher education while ensuring that capable and deserving students are not denied admission solely because of credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study.
Dr. Alausa noted that the new framework was designed in line with global best practices, allowing tertiary institutions to admit candidates into programmes where credit passes in either subject are not mandatory, but emphasizing that every student must still register and sit for both subjects during their O’Level examinations.
He explained that the streamlining aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of promoting equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development through flexible education pathways that recognize the diverse strengths and abilities of learners.
“The reform does not abolish English Language or Mathematics; rather, it removes unnecessary barriers that have hindered access to tertiary education, while maintaining the quality and integrity of Nigeria’s education system,” the statement read.
The Ministry reiterated that English Language and Mathematics remain essential for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, describing them as vital components of a sound educational foundation.
It further assured that the adjustment affects only the admission criteria for certain programmes, not the requirement to study or sit for the subjects.
The Federal Ministry of Education also urged students, parents, and other education stakeholders to rely only on official communication channels and verified social media pages of the Ministry for accurate information about government policies and reforms.
Reaffirming its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system, the Ministry stated that it will continue to work closely with regulatory agencies, examination councils, and tertiary institutions to ensure smooth implementation of the new admission guidelines.