The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially pegged 150 as the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off score for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. The decision was reached during the board’s annual policy meeting held on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, drawing stakeholders from tertiary institutions across the nation.
According to JAMB, the new cut-off thresholds reflect a flexible policy designed to accommodate the varying capacities and academic profiles of Nigerian institutions. While 150 was adopted for universities, colleges of nursing are to admit candidates from 140 and above, and polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture are allowed to consider students with scores from 100 upward.
The policy meeting, an annual event in JAMB’s calendar, serves as a forum for reviewing the previous year’s admission cycle and agreeing on admission guidelines for the upcoming session. One of the major resolutions of the meeting was to reinforce institutional autonomy meaning each university, polytechnic, or college is free to set higher cut-off marks for individual courses, provided they do not fall below the national minimum.
JAMB emphasized that there is no blanket cut-off mark that applies to all institutions and disciplines. Rather, institutions must consider their own admission capacities, programme demands, and competitiveness when deciding their internal benchmarks. For instance, competitive courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering may require far higher scores than the minimum 150.
For prospective students scoring between 140 and 180, the board has released a comprehensive list of viable degree programmes they can apply for across Nigerian tertiary institutions. In the Science category, courses like Fisheries, Agricultural Science, Home Science and Nutrition, Animal Science, Botany, Anatomy, Marine Biology, Zoology, and Science Laboratory Technology are open to candidates within this score band. These programmes are designed to nurture careers in agriculture, environmental sciences, health, and applied sciences.
In the Arts category, JAMB listed Arabic Studies, Archaeology, Christian Religious Studies, Fine Arts, Drama/Performing Arts, Theatre Arts, English Language, French, History and International Studies, and Music as courses that welcome candidates within the 140–180 score range. These programmes emphasize cultural studies, language proficiency, historical knowledge, and creative expression, catering to students with strong communication and analytical skills.
For students interested in Commercial and Management Sciences, the board advised them to consider courses such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Insurance, Taxation, Criminology and Security Studies, Library and Information Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Political Science, and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. These programmes equip students with knowledge in finance, governance, policy-making, customer service, and security.
JAMB noted that these programmes are not just academic pathways but also align with Nigeria’s developmental priorities. For example, the growing demand for professionals in tourism, security, and agriculture provides viable employment opportunities for graduates from these disciplines. Hence, students should look beyond course prestige and assess the practical relevance of their choices.
While the list provides a helpful guide, JAMB also urged students to verify with their chosen institutions for course-specific requirements. This is because some universities may adjust their cut-off marks or request additional qualifications like post-UTME tests, interviews, or subject combinations in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In addition to the cut-off decisions, the board stressed the importance of credible and fair admissions. Institutions are expected to adhere strictly to the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) to eliminate bias, ensure transparency, and promote merit-based selections. CAPS will continue to serve as the official platform for tracking admissions in real-time.
The meeting also included reviews of mop-up examinations and compliance rates among institutions. JAMB commended several universities and colleges for their improved adherence to the new admission protocols and encouraged others to implement student-friendly policies that do not compromise quality.
Prospective applicants were advised to begin early preparation for the next phase of admission processes and make informed choices based on their UTME scores. “We want students to be strategic, not just in choosing institutions but in selecting courses where they are most likely to succeed,” said one official at the policy meeting.
With the approval of these new admission benchmarks, the 2025/2026 academic session is now set to commence its intake procedures. Students who scored between 140 and 180 have a wide range of viable academic options to explore, and the board believes that flexibility in course selection will promote inclusivity and enhance access to higher education across Nigeria.
