The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for their O’Level examinations.
This clarification was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the ministry emphasized that the recently introduced policy on tertiary admission requirements does not exempt any student from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.
It reads: “The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that all students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations. The new policy does not exempt any candidate from these core subjects but rather introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary admission requirements.
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“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the reform promotes fairness and inclusiveness in tertiary education by ensuring that capable students are not denied admission due to deficiencies in non-core subjects.
“The streamlining of O-Level admission guidelines aims to modernize Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices. It allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics may not be compulsory, while still mandating that all students register and sit for both subjects.
“This reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, broadening academic pathways and recognizing diverse strengths among learners.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. The adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects.
“The Ministry urges students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates.”