By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Nigerian Mathematical Society (NMS) has called on the Federal Government to retain Mathematics as a compulsory admission requirement for all students seeking entry into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions, including those in the Arts and Humanities.
Speaking during a press conference on the council’s resolution held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) House in Makurdi, the NMS President, Professor G. C. E. Mbah, emphasized that Mathematics remains a fundamental subject in the national education system, essential for developing reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
“The Nigerian Mathematical Society received with sadness the news that Mathematics may no longer be a compulsory admission requirement into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions,” Professor Mbah stated. “Mathematics is a universal language of reasoning and a cornerstone of intellectual development across all disciplines, including the Arts and Humanities.”
He explained that Mathematics, taught as a core subject from Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) to Senior Secondary School (SS 3), should not be de-emphasized for any group of students. According to him, removing it from admission requirements could discourage students from taking the subject seriously, thereby weakening foundational skills crucial for national growth.
“While the proposal may appear to ease academic pressure on students, it carries long-term implications for individual competence and national development,” Mbah warned.
The NMS president further noted that excluding Mathematics could negatively affect students’ behavior and performance in secondary schools. He cautioned that the subject’s perceived importance could decline if it is no longer tied to progression into higher education.
“When a subject loses direct academic relevance, it often loses prestige,” he said. “This could lead to declining classroom discipline, poor student cooperation, and reduced respect for teachers. Dedicated educators may feel discouraged, which could lower the quality of teaching and learning.”
Professor Mbah, who lectures in the Department of Mathematics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, appealed to the Federal Government to maintain Mathematics as a mandatory requirement for admission into all tertiary institutions. He stressed that every applicant—regardless of field—should possess at least a credit pass in the subject to ensure a minimum standard of quantitative literacy among Nigerian graduates.
He concluded that sustaining Mathematics as a compulsory subject would preserve its status as a foundation for logical thinking, innovation, and national competitiveness in an increasingly data-driven global economy.
