Education

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students at the O’Level level. This clarification was contained in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo. Boriowo said the clarification became necessary following widespread misconceptions about the recently announced streamlining of admission requirements into tertiary institutions. Read Also: FG Introduces AI, Robotics, and Journalism into New Secondary School Curriculum She quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as saying that the reform does not exempt any student from registering or sitting for English and Mathematics during their O’Level examinations. According to Alausa, the new policy only introduces a more inclusive and flexible framework for tertiary admissions to ensure that capable students are not unfairly denied access to higher education due to deficiencies in non-core subjects. He explained that the reform allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where a credit pass in either English or Mathematics may not be compulsory, while still requiring all students to register and sit for both subjects. “This reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development. It broadens academic pathways and recognises diverse strengths among learners,” the minister stated. Dr. Alausa emphasised that English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning, noting that the adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take the subjects. He further advised students, parents, and other education stakeholders to rely on verified government communication channels for accurate information to avoid misinformation. (NAN)

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a significant policy change for senior secondary school students in Nigeria, stating that students in the arts and humanities will no longer require a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO to gain admission into universities and polytechnics. Previously, all students—whether in sciences, social sciences, or arts and humanities—were required to secure at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, to qualify for higher education. The new directive exempts arts and humanities students from the Mathematics requirement, thereby easing the pathway to tertiary institutions for learners in these fields. According to the ministry, via a circular released on Tuesday, “The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.” Read Also: FG Introduces AI, Robotics, and Journalism into New Secondary School Curriculum The new framework, which applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide, outlines that Mathematics will remain mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses, but not for Arts and Humanities. The circular, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, further clarifies that universities require a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings, with Mathematics mandatory only for science-related programs. Polytechnics at the National Diploma level require at least four credit passes, with Mathematics necessary only for science and technology-based courses. Colleges of Education will maintain four credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Sciences, and Mathematics for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs. Reacting to the development, education analyst Ayodamola Oluwatoyin praised the reform, describing it as a step toward inclusivity and easier access to higher education. “This is a brilliant reform which we hope will open doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers,” he said. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that the policy aligns with the government’s broader effort to expand access and opportunities within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially declared a two-week comprehensive warning strike, marking yet another disruption in Nigeria’s public university system. The announcement was made on Sunday by the National President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, during a press briefing held at the University of Abuja. According to the ASUU president, the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government on September 28, 2025. He stated that the strike would commence at midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, and would involve the total withdrawal of services from all public universities across the country. Read Also: Experts, Scholars Chart Path for Zero-Waste Leather Production at NILEST Conference “Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025,” Professor Piwuna declared. “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.” ASUU, formed in 1978 to represent the interests and welfare of university lecturers in Nigeria, has been in constant dispute with the Federal Government over issues of funding, welfare, and the implementation of agreements reached as far back as 2009. Education analysts have expressed concerns that the fresh industrial action could further derail the already fragile academic calendar, especially for students who are yet to recover from previous disruptions. Some institutions had only recently resumed following delays linked to unpaid salaries and infrastructural challenges. The latest standoff comes despite ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the university-based unions. On Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed that the administration was in the final phase of talks with ASUU and other unions to resolve outstanding issues relating to university funding and staff welfare. Dr. Alausa explained that the government had made significant progress by releasing ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and earmarking another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment in public universities. He said the funds would be released in three tranches as part of efforts to address ASUU’s demands and stabilize the education sector. However, the union insists that the government’s actions have not matched its promises. Many lecturers have argued that the delay in implementing key aspects of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement and the continued use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have worsened their plight. Students across various campuses have expressed worry over the renewed strike, describing it as a major setback to their academic progress. A 400-level student of the University of Lagos, identified as Tolu, said, “We are tired of this constant back and forth. Every time there’s progress, another strike begins, and it affects our graduation timelines.” Education rights advocates have urged the Federal Government to prioritize university reforms and ensure that the recurrent cycle of strikes comes to an end. According to them, the government must strengthen communication with stakeholders to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s higher education system. Observers note that the strike could worsen the ongoing brain drain in the sector, as more lecturers may seek opportunities abroad due to poor working conditions. Nigeria has already recorded the exit of over 300 professors from public universities in the last two years. University managements across the country have started issuing circulars directing students to vacate campuses pending further instructions. The National Universities Commission (NUC) is expected to meet with stakeholders this week to assess the situation and explore possible resolutions. Meanwhile, the ASUU leadership maintains that the warning strike is not an end in itself but a call for government accountability and action. Professor Piwuna emphasized that the union would review its position after the two-week period, depending on the government’s response. “We have waited long enough, and our members have endured enough hardship. This warning strike is to show our seriousness in demanding that the government fulfill its obligations,” he added. Education experts have cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken, the strike could extend beyond two weeks, causing further instability in Nigeria’s struggling tertiary education sector.

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has appointed Professor Uduma Uduma as its new Vice Chancellor. The announcement was made by the Chairman of NOUN’s Governing Council, Mallam Isa Yuguda, during a press briefing held on Friday in Abuja. According to Yuguda, Professor Uduma will succeed the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, whose tenure is set to end in February 2026. Read Also: FG Introduces AI, Robotics, and Journalism into New Secondary School Curriculum He described the appointment as part of the institution’s continuous efforts to sustain academic excellence, innovation, and effective leadership in open and distance learning across Nigeria. Professor Uduma’s appointment is expected to usher in a new phase of growth for the university, which has, over the years, expanded access to higher education for thousands of Nigerians through its distance learning model.