The Nigerian Mathematical Society (NMS) has cautioned against removing Mathematics as a compulsory subject for university admission, warning that such a move could undermine national development and weaken students’ intellectual competence.
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi, NMS President, Prof. Godwin Mbah, stated that the decision to exempt Arts and Humanities students from the Mathematics requirement contradicts Nigeria’s educational objectives.
He argued that Mathematics builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills essential across all disciplines.
“Mathematics is not just about numbers; it is a universal language of reasoning and creativity. Excluding it limits intellectual development and national progress,” he said.
Prof. Mbah stressed that inconsistency in policy, teaching Mathematics for only six years to make it irrelevant for university admission, would discourage students and promote negative attitudes toward the subject.
He added that fields such as Economics, Linguistics, and Political Science increasingly depend on quantitative reasoning. “Removing Mathematics risks producing graduates unprepared for the data-driven world,” he warned.
The NMS therefore urged the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education to reconsider the policy to preserve academic standards and sustain innovation-driven national growth.
