No Student Exempted from Core Subjects
The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for their Ordinary Level (O’Level) examinations.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government urged students to continue registering for the two subjects in their O’Level examinations.
“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,” the statement read.
Admission Reforms Misunderstood
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the recent reforms were being misinterpreted as a removal of English and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
“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 minister said.
According to him, the streamlining of O’Level admission guidelines is intended to modernize Nigeria’s education system and bring it in line 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,” he clarified.
Core Skills Still Fundamental
The ministry stressed that English and Mathematics remain the bedrock of learning, communication, and critical thinking.
“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 statement added.
Folasade urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to disregard misleading reports. Stressing that they should rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates.
Background
The clarification follows recent public confusion over a policy update that some interpreted as eliminating the mandatory nature of English and Mathematics in O’Level examinations. Education analysts have praised the government for addressing the misinformation swiftly. It was noted that the inclusion of flexibility in tertiary admissions could help expand access to higher education while maintaining academic standards.