Obi asks FG to reinstate SSCE maths as admission requirement for arts students

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has asked the federal government to consider reinstating mathematics as a core admission requirement for studying any course in higher institutions. 

In a new tertiary admission policy, the federal government announced that mathematics will no longer be a compulsory requirement for students wishing to study non-science courses in higher institutions.

The policy rollout has prompted a backlash and mixed interpretations from education stakeholders

The education ministry later clarified that maths remains a compulsory subject offering in secondary school and senior certificate exams.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Obi condemned the policy, describing it as a “costly mistake.” 

Obi said that the clarifications of the federal government still do not justify the policy. 

“If mathematics remains compulsory in school certificate examinations but not for university admission, the effect is practically the same,” he argued. 

“Students who intend to pursue arts in tertiary institutions will still not take the subject seriously, knowing they do not need it for admission.

“The seriousness students attach to any subject is often directly proportional to its relevance to their future academic goals.”

Obi said mathematics remains indispensable in everyday life, noting that its removal will mean that art students can do without clarity of thought. 

“Mathematics is not merely about numbers; it cultivates logic, sharpens critical thinking, and develops problem-solving skills essential for everyday life,” he said.  

“Whether one studies the arts or sciences, the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments is an indispensable quality that mathematics uniquely nurtures.

“To suggest that arts students do not need mathematics is to imply that they can do without clarity of thought or analytical precision, which is the very foundation of intellectual maturity. 

“Once students believe they can safely neglect the subject, many will abandon it altogether, leaving them ill-prepared for the demands of modern life, where logic, computation, and structured reasoning underpin almost every human activity.

“At a time when the world is driven by science, technology, and data, it is disheartening to hear of such retrogression. 

“We cannot afford to return to a system that sidelines mathematics. Our education policy must aim to equip every child, regardless of discipline, with the skills and competencies relevant to the twenty-first century.”

Obi questioned the rationale behind the removal of mathematics as a required subject for admission.

“Does it mean that our tertiary institutions lack enough students because of mathematics? What, indeed, are the reasons?” he asked.