English and Mathematics still compulsory for all O’Level students, FG clarifies

In an official statement released on Sunday, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain mandatory subjects for every student to register for and sit during their O’Level examinations.

The clarification was issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, in Abuja.

She stated that this was necessary to correct widespread misconceptions about the recent reforms streamlining admission requirements for tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was quoted emphasizing that the new policy does not grant any student an exemption from taking these core subjects.

He explained that the reform is designed to create a more inclusive and flexible admission framework.

According to the minister, the policy ensures that capable students are not unfairly denied university entry due to poor grades in non-core subjects. It allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where a credit pass in either English or Mathematics might not be strictly required for admission.

“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning and lifelong learning. The adjustment affects only the admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” Dr. Alausa clarified.

He described the reform as a step towards achieving the government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, which will help broaden academic pathways and recognise the diverse strengths of students.

The minister concluded by urging students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely only on official communication channels for accurate policy updates to avoid misinformation.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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