The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their O-Level examinations, despite the recent review of admission requirements into tertiary institutions.
Newsonspot reports that this clarification was issued on Sunday in Abuja through a statement by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the statement, the move became necessary to address misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework, which some had wrongly assumed removed the compulsory status of the two core subjects.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the new policy was designed to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in the admission process, ensuring that capable students are not denied access to higher education due to deficiencies in subjects not directly related to their chosen courses.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education because of credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa said.
He added that while the reform allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in one of the subjects might not be mandatory, all students must still register and sit for both English Language and Mathematics during their examinations.
The ministry emphasized that the adjustment affects only admission criteria for certain programmes – not the requirement to study or take the subjects.
“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation,” the statement read.
The government noted that the policy aligns with global best practices and supports the broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while maintaining the integrity and quality of the education system.
It also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely only on official communication channels and verified social media pages of the ministry for accurate information regarding education reforms and policy updates.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.
