The Federal Ministry of Education has cleared the air about the revised O’Level admission requirements for tertiary education. It confirmed that every student must still register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O’Level exams.
The Ministry explained that the new policy does not remove these two subjects but instead introduces a fairer and more flexible admission process. This approach helps ensure that students are not kept out of higher education because of credit issues in subjects that are not linked to their chosen courses.
According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, the reform is meant to make the system more inclusive and fair for all learners. He stated that the adjustment supports equal access and creates more learning opportunities for students across Nigeria.
The update aims to modernise the education process in line with international standards. It allows tertiary schools to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in English or Mathematics are not compulsory, while still requiring every student to register and sit for both subjects in their exams.
Dr Alausa added that this change reflects the Federal Government’s plan to promote equal access, fairness, and strong human capital development. By refining admission requirements, the Ministry hopes to remove barriers that prevent capable students from furthering their studies while keeping the quality of education intact.
English and Mathematics remain at the heart of education. These subjects help students build essential skills in communication, problem-solving, and reasoning. Every candidate must continue to take them as part of the Senior School Certificate Examination. The adjustment affects only the admission process for some courses, not the need to study or sit for the subjects themselves.
The Federal Ministry of Education restated its dedication to keeping academic standards high while promoting inclusion and fairness. It will keep working with examination bodies, regulatory agencies, and tertiary schools to make sure the new rules are properly followed.
Students, parents, and educators are advised to rely only on official updates shared through the Federal Ministry of Education’s verified websites and social media pages. This will help prevent confusion caused by false or unofficial information.
The Ministry remains committed to building a trustworthy, inclusive, and globally respected education system that provides equal chances for every learner.
