The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for their Ordinary Level (O’Level) examinations across the country.
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 both subjects during their examination enrolment.
“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 statement read.
“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 clarification follows recent discussions around updates to admission guidelines for tertiary institutions. According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the reforms are designed to promote fairness and inclusivity in the education sector.
Dr. Alausa explained that the revised guidelines aim to ensure that students are not denied access to higher education due to deficiencies in non-core subjects, while still requiring them to sit for English and Mathematics during their O’Level exams.
“The streamlining of O-Level admission guidelines aims to modernize Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices,” the Minister said.
“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.”
The Ministry emphasized that this policy shift affects only admission criteria for certain programmes, not the mandatory registration and participation in English and Mathematics examinations.
The statement added that the reform supports the Federal Government’s broader vision for equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, by expanding academic pathways and recognizing diverse learner strengths.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the Ministry noted.
Parents, students, and stakeholders were also advised to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate and up-to-date information regarding educational policies and reforms.
