The revised National Guidelines for entry criteria into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions state that candidates no longer need to pass mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to be admitted to the faculties of arts in Nigerian universities.
Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, said in a statement that the updated guidelines, which were made public on Tuesday, are intended to empower Nigerian youths, democratize access to higher education, and remove obstacles.
The new framework applies to institutions of education, universities, polytechnics, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) nationwide, according to the announcement.
It further stated that the National Diploma (ND) will gradually replace the National Industrial Diploma (NID), which was formerly offered by Innovation Enterprise Academies.
This, it said, is to ensure uniformity, credibility, and progression opportunities for graduates.
“The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is currently re-accrediting all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards. Institutions that fail to transition to full accreditation will be de-accredited,” the statement added.
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The statement quoted the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, saying that the reform has become necessary after years of restricted access that left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission.
“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission,” Mr Alausa said.
This imbalance, he notes, is not due to a lack of ability but rather to outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.
Previously, all candidates were required to secure a minimum of five credits, including English and Mathematics as a prerequisite for admission into the tertiary institutions.
However, a credit in the English language remains a requirement, the statement said.
“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to be admitted to our tertiary institutions each year,” it said.
“It reflects a firm commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed, putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action.”
Below is the new guideline:
Universities: Obtain a minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, within two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programmes.
Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social
Science courses and mathematics are required for science, vocational, and technical programs.
Colleges of Education (B.Ed Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, as applicable to the course of study.
Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs): To adopt the same minimum requirements as Polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND) programme. The National Innovation Diploma (NID) is hereby abolished.
