By Anita John 
Mathematics is no longer mandatory for Arts-related courses under the new admission requirements and guidelines, as the government states that it is now only compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
- New national admission guidelines apply to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions.
- National Innovation Diploma (NID) abolished, replaced by National Diploma (ND) for uniformity.
- Reform aims to create 250,000–300,000 additional admission opportunities yearly.
The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has introduced a unified set of entry guidelines for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, a move officials describe as a major step towards expanding access to higher education and empowering Nigerian youths.
The policy, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on October 13, 2025, is one of the reforms that became necessary after years of limited access that left many qualified candidates without admission.
“Over two million candidates sit for UTME each year, but only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance isn’t due to a lack of ability, but outdated and restrictive entry requirements,” the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said in a statement.
What’s new?
Under the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, admission conditions have been simplified while maintaining academic standards.
Universities:
Minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics:
ND Level: Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics for Science courses.
HND Level: Minimum of five credit passes, including English and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education:
B.Ed Programmes: Minimum of five credits including English and Mathematics.
NCE Programmes: Minimum of four credits with English mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics for Science and Technical courses.
Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs): Now required to meet the same entry standards as polytechnics. The National Innovation Diploma (NID) has been abolished.
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has begun re-accrediting all IEIs nationwide to align with the new ND standards. Institutions that fail to comply will lose accreditation.
Reform goals
According to the Ministry, the reform is designed to remove barriers, strengthen vocational training, and align Nigeria’s tertiary education framework with global and industry standards.
“The harmonisation of admission guidelines will reduce the number of out-of-school youths and expand opportunities for upward mobility,” the Minister said, adding that the government remains committed to equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive world.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
What is changing?
Previously, Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) awarded National Innovation Diplomas (NID), a qualification now scrapped to ensure uniformity. All such programmes will now run under the National Diploma (ND) structure.
Before now, Mathematics was one of the compulsory subjects for Arts students seeking university admission, including those applying to study Law, as part of their O’Level credit requirements.
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Editorial Staff