‎The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to settle their ongoing dispute within seven days to avoid another prolonged shutdown of universities across the country.
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‎In a statement released on Wednesday by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS voiced concern that the renewed industrial tension between the government and university lecturers could once again interrupt the academic calendar, warning that students would not tolerate another strike.
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‎Oladoja noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the education sector had experienced two uninterrupted academic sessions — a rare achievement since 1999. However, he cautioned that the impending strike could reverse this progress.
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‎“It is, therefore, in this spirit that NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government’s negotiation team to find a workable and lasting solution within the next seven days,” he said. “Nigerian students, many of whom are now studying through educational loans, cannot afford to have their academic calendar disrupted or their duration on campus extended again.”
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‎He commended President Tinubu’s administration for reforms aimed at strengthening the education sector, including the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and targeted interventions through TETFund. Nevertheless, he expressed concern that delays in implementing agreements with ASUU and lapses in communication had reignited tensions.
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‎“It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this strike — a result of miscommunication and poor crisis management in implementing resolutions earlier reached with ASUU — is creating avoidable tension that now threatens the peace and progress of the education sector,” he stated.
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‎Oladoja revealed that NANS’ findings showed a recent meeting convened by the Federal Government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural issues. He added that the student body had received assurances from both sides of their willingness to resume talks once the meeting was properly reconvened.
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‎“We call on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap,” he said.
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‎The NANS president also appealed for President Tinubu’s direct involvement, warning that continued inaction could undermine the stability achieved in the education sector. “Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action — the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” he added.
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‎ASUU had on Monday begun a warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the government. The union’s demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
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‎The ongoing strike has disrupted examinations in several universities nationwide, increasing anxiety among students and parents as both parties remain at an impasse.
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‎For thousands of Nigerian students, the dream of studying arts or humanities just got easier. On October 15, 2025, the Federal Government announced that a credit in Mathematics is no longer required for Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) candidates seeking admission into arts and humanities programs in universities.
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‎This landmark decision, led by the Ministry of Education, aims to remove barriers for students passionate about fields like Literature and History. With this change, Nigeria joins a growing list of countries tailoring admission requirements to course demands.

Why the Change?

Until now, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) required all university applicants to have credits in Mathematics and English, regardless of their chosen course.
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‎This rule, in place for decades, often blocked talented students who struggled with Maths from pursuing humanities degrees. Advocates, including student groups and educators, argued that Maths proficiency is less critical for fields like Fine Arts or Religious Studies.
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‎The Ministry of Education, responding to this call, says the policy aligns admission requirements with course relevance, making higher education more inclusive.
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‎The decision also reflects feedback from secondary schools reporting high failure rates in Maths among arts-focused students.

What’s New?

‎‎Effective immediately, students applying for programs like English Literature, Fine Arts, History, Music, or Theatre Arts don’t need a Maths credit in their SSCE results (WAEC, NECO, or equivalent).
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‎A credit in English remains mandatory to ensure language proficiency, and other subject requirements, such as Literature for English majors, still apply. The Ministry of Education stated, “This reform ensures students are judged on skills relevant to their chosen paths.”
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‎JAMB is updating its guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session, and universities have been directed to adjust their admission criteria accordingly. The policy applies to both public and private institutions, ensuring a unified standard.

Benefits Of the New Policy

‎The policy could transform lives for students who excel creatively but struggle with numbers. JAMB data shows that over 15% of candidates miss admission yearly due to poor Maths grades, despite strong performances in other subjects.
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‎“I can finally pursue Theatre Arts without Maths holding me back,” says Kemi, an 18-year-old from Abuja. Universities like the University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University expect a surge in humanities applications, boosting fields critical to Nigeria’s cultural and social growth.
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‎The policy could also reduce pressure on students, allowing them to focus on subjects aligned with their strengths. Globally, countries like the UK have similar flexible requirements, and Nigeria’s move could inspire more graduates in arts and social sciences, fields often overshadowed by STEM.

Challenges and Considerations

‎While the policy opens doors, it raises questions about implementation. Universities may need to revise curricula to ensure humanities students still develop analytical skills, perhaps through alternative courses like logic or statistics. Funding is another concern—humanities departments, often under-resourced, may struggle to accommodate more students.
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‎Additionally, some employers value basic Maths skills, prompting debates about whether graduates might face job market challenges. The Ministry has promised to work with universities to address these gaps, including teacher training and curriculum updates.

Reactions

‎The announcement has sparked lively debate, especially on platforms like X. Students celebrated, with one user posting, “No more Maths stress! FG finally gets it.”

The Nigeria Union of Teachers supports the move but urges increased funding for humanities departments to handle higher enrollment.
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‎Parents, too, are optimistic, with a Lagos-based mother, Mrs. Adebayo, saying, “My daughter can now chase her dream of studying Music without worrying about Maths.” However, some educators worry about academic standards.
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‎“Basic Maths skills are vital for critical thinking,” argues Dr. Ngozi Eze, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria.

On X, critics warn that the policy might “dumb down” education, though supporters counter that it prioritizes fairness and relevance.

What’s Next?

‎This change marks a bold step toward a more flexible education system in Nigeria. As JAMB and universities adapt, the focus is on ensuring quality while opening doors for diverse talents.
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‎The Ministry plans to monitor the policy’s impact through enrollment data and graduate outcomes.
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‎Will this reform inspire a new wave of creatives, or does it risk diluting academic standards?
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‎For now, arts students can chase their dreams without the shadow of equations, and Nigeria’s universities may soon see a renaissance in the humanities.
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