The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for O’Level examinations, despite recent reforms aimed at streamlining tertiary admission requirements.
In a statement issued on October 18, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government clarified that the new policy does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects. Instead, it introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary education admissions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), explained that the reform was designed to ensure fairness and widen access to higher education. He said the initiative seeks to prevent capable students from being denied admission solely because of deficiencies in subjects not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study.
“The justification for streamlining O-Level admission guidelines is rooted in the need to modernize Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices,” Alausa stated. “While institutions may waive certain subject requirements depending on the programme, all candidates must still register and sit for English and Mathematics.”
According to the Ministry, the adjustment only affects admission criteria for specific programmes and does not alter the requirement to study or sit for English and Mathematics during Senior School Certificate Examinations. The reform aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, the statement added.
The Ministry emphasized that English and Mathematics remain vital to students’ communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning skills, describing them as the foundation of a sound education system.
It further assured stakeholders that it would continue to collaborate with regulatory bodies, examination councils, and tertiary institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the new framework without compromising educational quality or integrity.
The Ministry also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to verify all policy updates through official communication channels and social media pages of the Federal Ministry of Education to avoid misinformation.
