The Federal Government has announced a major reform in Nigeria’s education system, officially removing Mathematics as a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into Arts-related courses in Nigerian universities.
Under the new policy, applicants pursuing degrees in Fine Arts, Theatre Arts, Music, and Languages will no longer be required to present credit passes in Mathematics. However, English Language and core Art subjects remain mandatory. Mathematics will still be compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, the move is designed to “expand access and support students whose strengths lie in the arts, promoting inclusivity, creativity, and balanced learning opportunities.”
The reform is projected to open up over 300,000 new admission slots annually, helping reduce Nigeria’s growing number of out-of-school youths while encouraging students to pursue their natural talents.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have been directed to update admission requirements accordingly.
Education analysts describe the decision as a progressive step toward aligning Nigeria’s education system with global trends that value creative intelligence alongside academic rigor.
