The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has retained 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The decision was announced on Monday during JAMB’s policy meeting held in Abuja, following deliberations and voting by vice-chancellors and other stakeholders present at the meeting.
JAMB also approved 150 as the benchmark for colleges of nursing, while polytechnics will admit candidates with a minimum score of 100 out of the 400 obtainable marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The approved scores, officially referred to as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, represent the minimum admission benchmarks for tertiary institutions across the country. However, institutions are permitted to set higher cut-off marks based on their admission requirements.
The board maintained the same university cut-off mark adopted last year, a decision that previously generated widespread reactions from Nigerians who argued that 150 was too low for university admissions.
In another major development, candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture non-engineering courses will no longer be required to sit for the UTME examination.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government has retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to him, the decision followed extensive consultations and policy reviews aimed at balancing inclusiveness with academic preparedness.
“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” the minister stated.
He added that while exceptionally gifted students may still be considered for admission below the age benchmark, such cases must strictly follow clearly defined guidelines to protect the integrity of the education system.
Alausa also warned that admissions conducted outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) remain illegal and would not be recognised by the government.
