By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO), as a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics.
Previously, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their counterparts in science and social sciences, were required to obtain five credits, including mathematics and English language, to qualify for entry into higher institutions.
“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.
“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:
“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.
“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” a statement by the FME’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said.
Education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, speaking to The Punch correspondent in Abuja, praised the reform, saying, “This is a brilliant reform which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers.”
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.