“If you want to study Hausa or Arabic in London, Mathematics isn’t necessary either. It just doesn’t apply to those programs.”
Spokesperson of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Fabian Benjamin, has clarified that Mathematics is no longer a compulsory requirement for certain programs, particularly those related to languages.
“For example, if you want to study Hausa language at a university today, you do not need Mathematics. Previously, a credit in Mathematics was required,” he explained.
“If you go to London to study Hausa or Arabic, Mathematics is not necessary. Mathematics is not relevant to those programs, so that requirement has been waived.” He concluded by mentioning that this adjustment has increased the number of eligible candidates for the 2025 admission cycle.
Make it friendly
Fabian Benjamin, the friendly spokesperson for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has made an important clarification regarding the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and its role in university admissions in Nigeria.
During his appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority’s Good Morning Nigeria, Benjamin spoke about the ongoing conversations around UTME cut-off marks and admission criteria.
He reassured everyone that “the UTME is not the main factor for qualifying for admission.” Instead, he shared that having five O’Level credits, including English and other subjects relevant to your chosen field, is the key requirement for getting into university. He explained that the UTME serves as a way to ensure fairness and transparency when selecting candidates for popular courses that have limited spaces.
“This examination helps us create equity, fairness, and transparency,” he said, highlighting how it benefits everyone involved. Benjamin also pointed out that universities have the flexibility to manage their own admissions while still following guidelines agreed upon by education stakeholders and the Ministry of Education.
In a positive twist, he announced that Mathematics is no longer a must-have for some programs, especially those focused on languages. “For example, if you’re looking to study Hausa language at university, you don’t need a credit in Mathematics anymore! Before, it was a requirement,” he noted.
“If you want to study Hausa or Arabic in London, Mathematics isn’t necessary either. It just doesn’t apply to those programs.” Benjamin concluded on a hopeful note, saying that this change has opened the door for many more candidates to be eligible for the 2025 admission process.
