Candidates seeking admissions into Faculties of Arts in Nigerian Universities no longer need to pass Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), according to a revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
According to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the revised guideline released on Tuesday, is designed to remove barriers, democratise access to tertiary education and empower Nigerian youths.
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The statement indicates that the new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) across the country.
It added that the National Industrial Diploma (NID) previously issued by Innovation Enterprise Academies will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma (ND).
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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.
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This imbalance, he notes, is not due to a lack of ability but rather to outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.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 admissions 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.”
New guideline
Below is the new guideline:
Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
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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 required for Science, Vocational, and technical programmes.
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.
