The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the cut-off marks for the 2025/2026 admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions, following the annual policy meeting held in Abuja.
These cut-off points were agreed upon after extensive deliberation with Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Education.
Official 2025 JAMB Cut-Off Marks:
- Universities: 150
- Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: 100
- Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140
- Minimum Entry Age: 16 years
Why It Matters
The cut-off marks serve as the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores required for candidates to be considered for admission. While institutions can set higher benchmarks for specific courses, they are not permitted to go below the national thresholds.
Dr. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, stated that the policy was aimed at ensuring quality in the admission process while giving institutions the flexibility to maintain their standards.
“The cut-off marks are national minimums. Institutions still reserve the right to raise theirs in line with demand and competition,” said Dr. Oloyede.
What Candidates Should Know
- Scoring 150 in the UTME qualifies candidates to apply for university courses, although top institutions may require a higher score.
- Age requirement: All applicants must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for admission.
- Post-UTME and internal screening processes remain crucial for final admission.
Reactions from Stakeholders
While some education advocates welcomed the decision as inclusive, others raised concerns about the impact on academic standards. Many universities had proposed a minimum of 160 before settling on 150 during the vote.
Private universities and professional bodies have also hinted they might retain higher cut-off marks to maintain program integrity.
What’s Next?
JAMB is expected to release the full admission timetable and institution-specific cut-off lists in the coming weeks. Candidates are advised to:
- Check individual school requirements.
- Prepare for post-UTME screening or interviews.
- Ensure their O’Level results and personal data (especially date of birth) are correctly uploaded on the JAMB portal.
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