From 150 To 220: Breakdown Of Nigerian Universities’ Cut-Off Marks For 2026
JAMB Unveils 2026 Admission Benchmarks
THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off marks for Nigerian universities ahead of the 2026 admission exercise.
The benchmarks were disclosed during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed admission guidelines and institutional requirements.
According to JAMB, the cut-off marks represent the minimum scores required for candidates to be considered for admission, while individual universities retain the authority to set higher thresholds for competitive courses.
Top Universities Maintain High Entry Standards
Among the institutions listed, Pan-Atlantic University set the highest minimum cut-off mark at 220, positioning itself as the most selective university in the current admission cycle.
Several leading universities, including University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, and University of Benin, fixed their minimum benchmark at 200.
Private institutions such as Covenant University also adopted the 200 mark, reflecting a convergence among top-tier universities on entry standards.
State Universities Adopt Moderate Thresholds
State-owned institutions recorded slightly lower cut-off marks, with Lagos State University and Lagos State University of Science and Technology setting 195 as their minimum scores.
Meanwhile, Lagos State University of Education adopted a lower threshold of 185.
A broad category of universities, including Ahmadu Bello University and University of Ilorin, fixed their minimum at 180, while others set theirs between 170 and 150.
Flexibility for Competitive Courses
JAMB emphasised that the announced figures are baseline requirements, noting that institutions can impose higher cut-off marks for courses with high demand such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering.
Education analysts say this flexibility allows universities to manage competition and maintain academic standards, especially in programmes with limited admission slots.
Implications for Candidates
The release of the cut-off marks provides clarity for prospective students, helping them make informed choices during the admission process.
Experts advise candidates to aim above the minimum thresholds, as actual admission often depends on higher departmental cut-off marks, post-UTME performance, and overall competitiveness.
