The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory for all students sitting for O’Level examinations, despite recent reforms to streamline tertiary admission requirements.
According to Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, the new policy does not exempt any student from registering or sitting for these two core subjects. Instead, it introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied entry into higher institutions due to credit deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen fields.
The Ministry explained that the reform modernizes Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices, allowing institutions to focus on relevant subjects while maintaining the central importance of English and Mathematics.
All students are still required to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), as they remain vital for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. The adjustment, the Ministry noted, affects only the admission criteria for certain programmes—not the requirement to study or sit for the subjects.
The Ministry urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely on official communication channels for accurate information, reaffirming its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system built on integrity and equal opportunity.
