The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that Mathematics is no longer a compulsory O’Level requirement for admission into some university programmes in Nigeria, a policy shift that has widened the pool of eligible candidates for the 2025 admission cycle.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin disclosed during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority programme, Good Morning Nigeria, where he also addressed ongoing debates surrounding UTME cut off marks and their role in determining admission eligibility.
Benjamin clarified that the UTME is not the primary determinant of admission into tertiary institutions, describing it instead as a tool for ensuring fairness in competitive selections.
“Don’t forget that the UTME is not a major determinant of qualification for admission,” Benjamin stated. “This examination is conducted. It’s a vehicle through which we can create equity, fairness, transparency.”
He explained that five O’Level credits, including English and other subjects relevant to a chosen course, remain the core criteria for admission, with universities retaining autonomy over their selection processes within guidelines approved by education stakeholders and the Federal Ministry of Education.
On the Mathematics waiver, Benjamin confirmed the adjustment applies specifically to language and humanities related programmes where the subject has no direct academic bearing.
“For instance, if you want to read Hausa language in a university today, you don’t need mathematics. Before, you must have a credit in mathematics,” he noted. “If you go to London, you want to read Hausa or Arabic, you don’t need mathematics. Mathematics has no area in those programs. That has been waived.”
Courses reportedly affected include Hausa, Arabic, Christian Religious Studies and similar programmes under the Arts and Humanities bracket. Mathematics remains compulsory for science, engineering, business and technical courses, and continues to be a required subject at the secondary school level under WAEC and NECO examinations.
JAMB has not published a full list of exempted courses, and candidates are advised to confirm specific requirements for their chosen programmes before applying.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions, with many students and parents welcoming the change as a long overdue reform, while others have raised concerns about potential confusion in the admissions process.
Last Updated on May 14, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
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