The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the cut-off marks for the 2025/2026 admission cycle into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, establishing clear thresholds for universities, polytechnics, and other post-secondary institutions.
Cut-Offs Finalized at Abuja Policy Meeting
At the JAMB 2025 Admissions Policy Meeting held on July 8 in Abuja—attended by vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts—the following minimum UTME scores were approved:
Universities: 150
Polytechnics & Colleges of Education: 100
Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140
These marks serve as national benchmarks. No institution may admit candidates who fall below them, although individual institutions may impose higher internal cut-offs, particularly for competitive courses like medicine, law, and engineering.
Why the 150 Benchmark for Universities?
JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede stated that 150 was chosen to ensure a balance between academic quality, fairness, and access. Though some education stakeholders proposed raising it to 160, the majority supported keeping it at 150 to accommodate a wider range of qualified candidates.
What This Means for Students
University aspirants need a minimum UTME score of 150, but actual admission will depend on post-UTME screening and course-specific criteria.
Polytechnic and college applicants require just 100 to be eligible.
Prospective nursing students must score at least 140.
Note: Meeting the cut-off does not guarantee admission; it only qualifies a candidate for further consideration by the institution of choice.
What’s Next?
The cut-off declaration clears the way for post-UTME screenings and admissions processes across Nigerian institutions.
JAMB also announced it will recognize top-performing UTME candidates during this admission cycle.
Candidates are urged to regularly check JAMB’s official website and portals for updates, screening dates, and further admission guidelines.
Final Take
With the 2025 cut-off marks now in effect—150 for universities, 140 for nursing, and 100 for polytechnics and colleges—students have a clear starting point. However, as competition for popular courses remains fierce, candidates are encouraged to prepare diligently for post-UTME and ensure all application requirements are met.
