Federal Ministry of Education

By Tijjani Usman Dalhatu

The recent announcement that Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for admission into Arts and Humanities programs in Nigerian universities has generated both relief and concern. While it may appear to remove a long-standing obstacle for many students, it also raises a deeper philosophical question about the role of Mathematics in shaping thought itself.

Mathematics is far more than a subject in the school curriculum; it is a philosophy of reasoning, structure, and truth. It disciplines the mind to detect order in complexity, to question assumptions, and to think with clarity. It is the silent philosopher that underlies all genuine understanding, whether in the sciences, the arts, or the humanities.

History is rich with thinkers who embodied this union of logic and imagination. Bertrand Russell, both philosopher and mathematician, sought truth through reason and ethics. G. H. Hardy regarded pure mathematics as a creative art, not just an academic pursuit. Lewis Carroll, a mathematician, used logic and paradox to craft timeless literary classics. And Omar Khayyam, celebrated as a poet of destiny, was first a master of algebra and astronomy.

Their lives remind us that the boundaries we draw between science and the humanities are artificial. Every discipline, whether it studies numbers or narratives, still depends on logic, pattern, and evidence. Even the modern historian employs statistics to interpret migration, the linguist applies probability to syntax, and the sociologist uses data to understand society.

Removing Mathematics from the foundation of Arts education risks cultivating thinkers who may feel deeply but reason shallowly. They may be fluent in expression yet uncertain in structure. In an age governed by data, where information is quantified and measured, even the humanities must remain numerate to stay relevant.

Mathematics sharpens the intellect not by teaching us to count, but by training us to think precisely. One may exclude it from certificates, but never from the mind.

For to reason is to calculate, and to imagine is to measure the infinite.

Tijjani Usman Dalhatu is a lecturer and researcher in Chemistry Education at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. He can be reached via tijjani.usman@futminna.edu.ng.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Federal Government has announced a major review of admission requirements into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, declaring that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for candidates seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes.

The new policy, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education, forms part of a broader revision of the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. According to the guidelines, Mathematics remains mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses, while English Language continues to be compulsory for all programmes.

Under the revised rules, candidates seeking university admission must still obtain a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English. For polytechnic admission at the National Diploma (ND) level, four credits are required, while five credits, including Mathematics and English, remain mandatory for the Higher National Diploma (HND).

Similarly, in Colleges of Education, English Language is compulsory for Arts and Social Science students, while Mathematics is required for Science, Technical, and Vocational programmes.

The government explained that the reform aims to make tertiary education more inclusive and accessible, reducing unnecessary barriers that have prevented thousands of qualified candidates from securing admission. Officials project that the new policy could enable an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission annually.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move as a progressive step towards aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices, though some have called for careful implementation to maintain academic standards.

By Anwar Usman

The North West Development Commission (NWDC) has reversed its decision and announced cancelling its foreign scholarship application scheme. This is in compliance with the Federal Government’s recent directive to prioritise local education and promote indigenous capacity development.

This development follows a policy announcement made by the Federal Ministry of Education on May 7, 2025, reiterating a shift in focus towards reinvigorating Nigeria’s local educational institutions.

The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, highlighted the need to invest in homegrown talent and infrastructure rather than sending students abroad.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NWDC reiterated its commitment to aligning its programs and initiatives with the Federal Government’s policies and priorities.

The statement reads, “This decision is in line with the new directive by the Federal Government, aimed at building local capacity and enhancing the quality of education within Nigeria,” the Commission stated.

The NWDC added that it would provide further updates on new opportunities and educational programs designed to support the development of the North West region in line with the new national educational outlook.

The cancellation marks a significant policy shift in the region’s educational strategy. It is expected to redirect resources towards improving local institutions, providing scholarships for domestic education, and creating skill development initiatives tailored to regional needs.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that they are aware of the strange illness that ravaged a secondary school in Delta State.

NCDC broke its long overdue silence in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

The center said :”The NCDC is aware of an unknown illness reported among secondary school children in Delta State.

“We are in touch with the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria and Delta State Ministry of Health to investigate and respond accordingly.

We will communicate with Nigerians as the situation evolves.”

Ten students of the econdary school in were reportedly hospitalized over a seizure-like illness. One of the affected students has been reported dead since then.

The affected school has been shutdown indefinitely.