UPDATED: Maths, English Remain Compulsory For r O’Level Students— FG Reaffirms

UPDATED: Maths, English Remain Compulsory For r O’Level Students— FG Reaffirms

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 review of tertiary admission requirements.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government emphasized that the new policy on simplified admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.

The clarification, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, was issued to address public misinterpretations of the revised O’Level admission framework.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform aims to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that qualified students are not denied entry due to 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 said.

He added that the new framework aligns with international best practices and seeks to correct past imbalances by allowing institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where a credit in either subject is not mandatory — while maintaining that all students must still register and sit for both subjects.

The ministry stressed that the adjustment only affects admission eligibility for certain courses, not the obligation to study or take English and Mathematics.

“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 further noted that the policy aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of promoting equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while preserving educational quality and standards.

The ministry also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on education reforms and policies.

Recall that it was reported earlier that under the new policy, students in the arts and humanities streams will no longer be required to obtain a credit in Mathematics in their WAEC or NECO examinations as a prerequisite for admission into universities and polytechnics.