The Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA), Nasarawa State, has officially published the much-anticipated departmental cut-off marks for the 2025/2026 academic session, signalling a crucial step in the ongoing admission process for prospective undergraduate students across Nigeria. With competition heating up for limited slots, the cut-off marks reveal both JAMB and post-UTME score thresholds for each course, with Medicine and Pharmacy emerging as the most competitive.
Established in 2011, FULAFIA is one of Nigeria’s youngest federal universities, aimed at expanding access to quality tertiary education. The institution has steadily built a reputation for academic rigor, infrastructural growth, and progressive teaching methods across eight faculties and two colleges, including a College of Medicine and a College of Health Sciences.
For the new academic session, the university has maintained the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) general minimum threshold of 170 for most programs. However, some departments demand significantly higher JAMB scores — particularly in the medical and engineering faculties — in order to filter candidates into the next stage of selection.
According to the official breakdown, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences set the highest JAMB requirements at 210, covering courses like Human Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacy. Meanwhile, Engineering programs such as Computer, Civil, and Electrical/Electronics Engineering require a minimum of 200 UTME points. Other departments, especially in the arts and social sciences, maintained the base requirement of 170.
The departmental cut-off mark does not solely rely on JAMB scores. It also includes the post-UTME screening percentage, which varies by faculty. For example, while Mass Communication, Sociology, and Business Administration require a minimum of 50% in post-UTME, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering require 60%, and Medicine leads all departments with a demanding 75% post-UTME benchmark.
Here’s a breakdown of JAMB and departmental cut-off marks across key faculties:
- Faculty of Arts: All programs, including English, Linguistics, and Philosophy, demand 170 UTME score and a minimum of 50–55% in the post-UTME screening.
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences: 210 UTME score and competitive post-UTME marks across board.
- Faculty of Engineering: All departments require a 200 JAMB score and 60% post-UTME minimum.
- Faculty of Management Sciences: Programs such as Accounting, Banking & Finance, and Marketing need 180 UTME and 50% post-UTME.
- Faculty of Natural Sciences: Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Physics all require 180 UTME and 50–55% post-UTME.
- Faculty of Education: Relatively lower thresholds at 180 UTME and 50% post-UTME for courses like Agricultural Education and Early Childhood Education.
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences: Architecture requires a UTME score of 200, while Building and Urban Planning are pegged at 180, all needing 50% post-UTME.
In terms of departmental screening scores, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering stood out, each with a post-UTME requirement of 60%, reflecting the growing interest and application volume in tech and engineering disciplines.
Importantly, candidates seeking admission through Direct Entry (DE) must also meet the same departmental aggregate score criteria. The university notes that DE applicants will be evaluated based on their academic transcripts, O’level results, and interview performance, but must align with the same thresholds to secure consideration.
A university official who spoke under anonymity noted, “These cut-off marks are carefully calculated using candidate performance metrics, available quota per program, and historical data on demand. They are designed to ensure academic excellence while still offering equitable access.”
For aspirants hoping to secure a place in the prestigious Medicine and Surgery program, the bar remains daunting. With a UTME requirement of 210 and 75% post-UTME score, the program is clearly the most competitive. Pharmacy follows closely, with a JAMB cut-off of 210 and a 70% post-UTME benchmark.
Candidates are advised to calculate their aggregate scores by averaging their JAMB and post-UTME scores, and to compare these with the listed departmental requirements to determine their admission prospects. For instance, a student with 210 in JAMB and 60% post-UTME aiming for Computer Engineering would achieve an aggregate of (210/8) + (60/2) = 26.25 + 30 = 56.25, which may or may not meet the final departmental cut-off.
The university reiterated that meeting both the UTME and departmental requirements does not automatically guarantee admission, as other factors such as quota limitations, O’level subject requirements, and catchment area considerations also come into play.
Prospective students are urged to proceed with the post-UTME registration, prepare adequately for screening, and ensure all required documents are ready. According to the Registrar’s Office, the post-UTME screening date will be announced soon via the official university website and social media channels.
With thousands of candidates vying for limited slots across competitive programs, the release of FULAFIA’s cut-off marks is both a wake-up call and a guiding light for students navigating the complex admission terrain in Nigeria.
