Nigerian principals blows hot as FG declares maths no longer compulsory

The Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ARPSSON), Ogun State chapter, has faulted the Federal Government’s recent policy removing Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for admission into arts and humanities courses in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the association’s 3rd annual congress in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the President of the association, Alexander Obadimu, described the decision as “not well thought out,” warning that it could weaken academic discipline and reduce students’ motivation to study Mathematics.

Obadimu said the new policy could promote laziness among students and undermine educational standards in the long run.

He stated, “It is very unfortunate that such decisions could come up at this time. Many students would run away from Mathematics. It plays a vital role in academics, and removing it as a requirement could lead to academic decadence.”

The former principal also expressed doubt about the policy’s sustainability, predicting that some higher institutions might not comply with the directive.

“I want to believe that it won’t stay for long because some higher institutions might not take it as decided by the Federal Ministry of Education,” he added.

The Federal Ministry of Education had on Tuesday announced the reform through its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo. The statement revealed that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities would no longer need a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to qualify for tertiary admissions.

According to Boriowo, the change aims to remove barriers that have denied many qualified candidates access to higher education. She explained that despite over two million candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, only about 700,000 gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Under the new framework, Mathematics remains mandatory only for science, technology, and social science courses, while English Language continues to be compulsory across all disciplines.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, estimating that it could increase annual admissions by up to 300,000.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the UTME, yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements,” Alausa said.

He added that the policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at creating equitable access to education and fostering national development.

However, critics like Obadimu argue that Mathematics remains a foundational subject that supports analytical and problem-solving skills vital across all academic disciplines.

While supporters view the policy as progressive and inclusive, education stakeholders say its long-term effect on academic performance and curriculum development remains to be seen.