The Nigerian Government has approved a comprehensive reform of admission entry requirements into all tertiary institutions across Nigeria, aimed at democratising access to higher education and expanding opportunities for qualified candidates.
Under the new guidelines, Mathematics at credit level will no longer be compulsory for students seeking admission into Arts-related courses in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The reform was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Boriowo Folasade. She said the policy, championed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, reflects the administration’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive and equitable education as a driver of national development.
Dr Alausa explained that the policy seeks to remove long-standing barriers to admission while maintaining academic quality across all tiers of tertiary education, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs).
He said the reform became necessary after years of restricted access, during which many qualified candidates were denied admission due to rigid and outdated entry criteria.
“Over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not caused by a lack of ability or interest, but by overly stringent requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity,” Dr Alausa said.
According to him, the new policy is projected to enable between 250,000 and 300,000 additional students to gain admission annually.
“The time has come to open the doors wider without compromising quality. Every willing and capable Nigerian youth deserves a fair chance to pursue higher education and fulfil their potential,” he added.
Details of the New Requirements
Under the revised framework, the following admission standards apply:
Universities: Minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programmes.
Higher National Diploma (HND): Five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE Level): At least four credit passes, with English Language compulsory for Arts and Social Sciences, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical courses.
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) Programmes: Five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics
Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs): To adopt the same entry requirements as polytechnics for National Diploma (ND) programmes.
Dr Alausa further announced that the National Innovation Diploma (NID) has been abolished, while the National Industrial Diploma (also NID) issued by IEAs will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma to ensure uniformity and enhance graduate progression opportunities.
He said the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to re-accredit all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards, warning that any institution that fails to transition fully will be de-accredited.
“Harmonising admission guidelines will help reduce the number of out-of-school youths, strengthen vocational and technical education, and align Nigeria’s tertiary education system with global standards,” the minister said.
