The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that all students must still register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level exams, despite new flexible admission guidelines aimed at making tertiary education more inclusive and equitable
Federal Government Clarifies O-Level Admission Policy — English and Mathematics Remain Compulsory
The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for their O-Level examinations, despite the recently introduced flexible admission policy for tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the Ministry explained that the new policy does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for these two core subjects but instead introduces a more inclusive and adaptable framework for tertiary education admissions.
According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, the reform is designed to promote flexibility, fairness, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s education system. He noted that the decision was taken to ensure that deserving students are not unfairly denied admission due to credit deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen fields of study.
“This reform ensures that capable and deserving students are not denied access to higher education because of credit gaps in subjects that are not directly relevant to their course of study,” the Minister stated.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable access and global best practices, modernizing the nation’s education system to meet the evolving demands of the 21st century.
Clarifying further, the Ministry said the policy merely allows tertiary institutions to exercise flexibility in admission criteria for specific programmes, without changing the requirement for all students to register and sit for both English and Mathematics.
“The adjustment affects only the admission criteria for certain programmes — not the requirement to study or sit for these subjects,” the Ministry noted.
It explained that English Language and Mathematics remain fundamental to learning, communication, and reasoning, describing them as “vital components of a sound educational foundation.”
The Ministry stated that the new framework supports the Federal Government’s drive toward equitable access, human capital development, and educational excellence.
By streamlining O-Level admission guidelines, the policy aims to remove unnecessary barriers while preserving the quality, credibility, and integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
“This reform aligns with the Federal Government’s mission to create a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners,” the statement added.
The Ministry also appealed to students, parents, and education stakeholders to obtain information only from verified sources.
“We urge the public to rely solely on official communication channels and verified social media platforms of the Federal Ministry of Education for accurate updates on all policies and announcements,” Boriowo Folasade stated.
She reiterated that the Ministry will continue to collaborate with regulatory bodies, examination councils, and tertiary institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the revised guidelines nationwide.
The statement reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Education remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector through policies that promote equity, inclusion, and excellence.
“We remain committed to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system that empowers all learners and upholds the integrity of our national qualifications,” it concluded. Read More
