JAMB Retains 150 as University Admission Cut-Off Mark for 2026/27
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has retained 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities for the 2026/27 academic session.
JAMB announced the decision during its policy meeting in Abuja on Monday, stating that the benchmark emerged following a vote by vice-chancellors present at the meeting.
The board also fixed 150 as the cut-off mark for colleges of nursing, while polytechnics will admit candidates from a minimum score of 100 out of the 400 obtainable marks.
The scores, officially referred to as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, indicate that no tertiary institution is permitted to admit candidates who score below the agreed thresholds.
Institutions, however, remain free to set higher cut-off marks for applicants seeking admission.
Last year, JAMB similarly pegged the university admission cut-off mark at 150, a decision that generated criticism from some stakeholders who argued that the benchmark was too low for prospective undergraduates.
Candidates seeking admission into education programmes and non-engineering agriculture courses are now exempted from the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years.
“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
“This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness. While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines to preserve the integrity of the system as a whole,” he said.
The minister also warned that admissions conducted outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) are illegal and would not be recognised.
