The President of the Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ARPSSON), Ogun State chapter, Alexander Obadimu, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to remove Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission to study arts and humanities in tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the association’s 3rd Annual Congress in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Obadimu described the policy as “not well thought out,” warning that it could encourage laziness among students and ultimately lower the standard of education in the country.
He said many educationists were displeased with the reform, stressing that Mathematics remains an integral subject that shapes logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. According to him, its exclusion could lead to academic decadence and a decline in overall performance.
“It is very unfortunate that such a decision could come up at this time,” Obadimu lamented. “Many students would now run away from Mathematics. The subject has its good side, and saying it’s no longer required is unfortunate. Academic decadence would soon creep in if this continues.”
The retired principal argued that Mathematics contributes significantly to general intellectual development, regardless of a student’s chosen discipline. He noted that discouraging students from taking the subject could also weaken the nation’s capacity for scientific research and innovation.
Obadimu expressed doubts about the sustainability of the new policy, saying it might not stand the test of time since some higher institutions could resist implementing it. “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 policy, announced by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, stated that students in the arts and humanities would no longer need a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to gain admission into higher institutions. The decision, she explained, followed years of restricted access that prevented many qualified students from securing admission.
According to the new National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, a credit pass in Mathematics remains compulsory for science, technology, and social science courses but optional for arts and humanities. The policy applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions across the country.
Defending the reform, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said it was part of the government’s broader plan to expand access to tertiary education and create opportunities for additional students each year. He noted that over two million candidates take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, yet only about 700,000 are admitted due to outdated and rigid requirements.
“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year,” the minister stated. “It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action.”
While the Federal Government insists that the policy will improve inclusivity and remove unnecessary barriers to education, many educators, including Obadimu, maintain that it risks undermining academic discipline and weakening the intellectual foundation of Nigeria’s education system.
