The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has confirmed that Language and humanities students seeking university admission in Nigeria no longer require a credit pass in Mathematics at the O'Level stage, marking a notable shift in the country's tertiary admission framework.

JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin provided the clarification during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority's Good Morning Nigeria programme, where he addressed widespread concerns over changing admission requirements and the role of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in determining candidate eligibility.

According to Benjamin, five O'Level credits, with English Language inclusive and other subjects relevant to a candidate's chosen course, remain the foundation of university admission in Nigeria. He added that universities continue to operate within guidelines jointly agreed upon with the Federal Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders.

On the specific Mathematics waiver, Benjamin was direct. "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 revealed. "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."

Programmes understood to be affected include Hausa, Arabic, Christian Religious Studies and other courses under the Arts and Humanities category where Mathematics holds no academic relevance. The policy does not extend to science, engineering, business or technical programmes, where Mathematics remains a firm requirement. The subject also continues to be compulsory at the secondary school level under both WAEC and NECO examinations.

Benjamin further used the opportunity to reframe public understanding of the UTME, cautioning against treating it as the chief measure of a candidate's qualification for admission.

"Don't forget that the UTME is not a major determinant of qualification for admission," he stated. "This examination is conducted. It's a vehicle through which we can create equity, fairness, transparency."

He confirmed that the adjustment has broadened eligibility for the current admission cycle. JAMB is yet to release a comprehensive list of all exempted courses, and prospective candidates are encouraged to verify the requirements specific to their chosen programmes and institutions before submitting applications.