Yemi Obafemi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has faulted the Federal Government’s recent policy removing Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for Arts students seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Obi described the decision as a “regrettable step backwards,” warning that it could undermine the intellectual and analytical development of Nigerian students.
The controversy began after the Federal Government announced that Mathematics would no longer be compulsory for Arts students.
Following widespread criticism, the Federal Ministry of Education issued a clarification, stating that the subject would remain compulsory only at the school certificate level but not as a requirement for admission into higher institutions.
However, Obi maintained that the clarification “changes nothing fundamentally,” arguing that the policy would still discourage Arts students from taking the subject seriously.
“The seriousness students attach to any subject is often directly proportional to its relevance to their future academic goals,” Obi stated.
“If Mathematics remains compulsory in school examinations but not for university admission, the effect is practically the same.”
He stressed that Mathematics is essential not only for scientific disciplines but also for developing logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
“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.”
The former Anambra State governor also questioned the rationale behind the decision, asking whether the policy was driven by an attempt to increase tertiary enrolment.
“At a time when the world is driven by science, technology, and data, it is disheartening – indeed, dirt to the ears – 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 therefore urged the Federal Government to reconsider the policy and reinstate Mathematics as a compulsory subject for all students, irrespective of discipline, “in the interest of our students and the future of our nation.”
