Obi Condemns Removal of Mathematics as Admission Requirement for Arts Students, Says It’s Step Backward

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the removal of Mathematics as a requirement for admitting Arts students into tertiary institutions.

Obi‘s reaction follows the recent announcement by the Federal Ministry of Education that a credit in Mathematics in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) will no longer be a condition for admission into universities and polytechnics for students pursuing Arts and Humanities courses.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, he emphasised the importance of Mathematics in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving, noting that educational progress must move forward and not backward.

“Following the outcry of concerned Nigerians over removing Mathematics, like the English Language, as a compulsory subject for admission into tertiary institutions, the Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that it will remain a compulsory subject only in school certificate examinations. In my humble view, this clarification changes nothing fundamentally.

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

Obi said that across the world, countries are exploring innovative ways to strengthen the teaching and learning of subjects that are indispensable in today’s knowledge-driven society, with Mathematics at the forefront.

“I therefore strongly condemn the decision to remove Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for Arts students. Such a policy is a regrettable step backwards in our collective effort to build an enlightened, competent, and globally competitive society.

“Mathematics is not merely about numbers; it cultivates logic, sharpens critical thinking, and develops problem-solving skills essential for everyday life. Whether one studies the Arts or Sciences, the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments is indispensable – qualities 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 – the very foundations 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,” he remarked.

The former Anambra State governor lamented that at a time when the global economy is being driven by science, technology, and data, it is disheartening to hear of such retrogression.

He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to revert to an educational system that sidelines Mathematics and urged policymakers to recognise that every child, regardless of discipline, must be equipped with the foundational skills and competencies demanded by the 21st century.

“At this juncture, one is constrained to ask the reason behind its removal as a required subject for admission. Does it mean that our tertiary institutions lack enough students because of Mathematics? What, indeed, are the reasons?

“I therefore urge the relevant authorities to reconsider this decision in the interest of our students and the future of our nation and reinstate it as a core admission subject. Education should move forward, not backwards,” he added.

ThelensNG