JAMB Releases 2025/2026 Cut-Off Marks for Tertiary Admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the minimum cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session. The new benchmarks, released following the JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja, are set to guide universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of nursing sciences in their admission processes for the upcoming academic year.
Approved Minimum Cut-Off Marks for 2025/2026
During the policy meeting attended by Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, and other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector, JAMB revealed the following minimum admissible scores:
- Universities: 150 and above
- Polytechnics: 100 and above
- Colleges of Education: 100 and above
- Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140 and above
This means no institution is allowed to admit candidates below these thresholds. However, institutions are free to set their own internal cut-off marks, provided they do not go below the national minimum. This gives universities and other schools some flexibility to maintain standards appropriate for their programs.
Institutions Retain Autonomy
Speaking at the policy meeting, the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, emphasized that while JAMB provides a national framework, each institution retains the right to determine higher cut-off marks if they wish. He noted:
“The national minimum cut-off marks are not imposed on any institution. Rather, they serve as the baseline. Universities, polytechnics, and colleges are free to set their individual requirements as long as they do not go below the national minimum approved.”
This flexibility ensures that highly competitive programs like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Nursing can maintain rigorous admission standards, while institutions with broader intakes can still accommodate candidates who meet the minimum requirements.
New Minimum Age for Admission
In addition to the new cut-off marks, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, announced that the minimum age for admission into any Nigerian tertiary institution will now be 16 years old. The policy aims to ensure that students entering higher education possess the maturity needed for academic and social challenges.
According to the Ministry’s statement:
“This policy is necessary to guarantee that young individuals are adequately prepared for the rigors of tertiary education, both academically and emotionally. The minimum age requirement will promote discipline and reduce cases of underage students struggling in tertiary institutions.”
The policy will affect candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of nursing sciences starting from the 2025/2026 academic session. Schools are advised to ensure strict compliance during their screening processes.
Implications for Students and Parents
The announcement has sparked widespread discussions among students, parents, and education experts. Many candidates expressed relief at the relatively low cut-off mark for polytechnics and colleges of education, as it opens opportunities for those who may not have scored highly in the UTME examinations.
However, for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering, candidates will still need to meet higher institutional cut-offs, which are often significantly above the national minimum.
Mrs. Adebayo, a parent whose child scored 168 in the recent UTME, shared her views:
“I’m glad the minimum cut-off for universities is 150. It gives my son a better chance. However, we know some schools will set their own higher requirements. We’re just praying he meets whatever cut-off his chosen university decides.”
Compliance with Matriculation Process
JAMB also reiterated the requirements that every admitted candidate must fulfill before being included in the National Matriculation List. The following steps are compulsory for all prospective undergraduates:
- Acceptance of admission on the JAMB CAPS portal within the stipulated period.
- Printing of the original JAMB result slip.
- Printing of the original JAMB admission letter.
These measures are intended to protect candidates and institutions from cases of admission fraud and ensure that only properly admitted students proceed to register at their respective schools.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While the new cut-off marks have been welcomed by many, some stakeholders have raised concerns about the potential drop in academic standards, especially in universities that may admit candidates close to the minimum mark.
Professor Oloyede addressed these concerns by stating that institutions have the responsibility to maintain quality and ensure that only students who can cope with academic demands are admitted, regardless of the national benchmark.
Meanwhile, education experts believe that the policy strikes a balance between widening access to higher education and maintaining reasonable standards.
Mr. Olakunle, an education consultant, observed:
“The reality is that not every student can attend a top university. The new cut-off marks provide options. Those who score lower can pursue polytechnic or college routes and still achieve their career goals.”
Final Advice for Candidates
Prospective students are advised to monitor the admission portals of their chosen institutions for updates on departmental cut-off marks and other requirements specific to their programs.
With the new policies in place, the 2025/2026 admission cycle is expected to be highly competitive. Candidates should remain proactive, verify all information directly from official channels, and ensure they meet both JAMB and institutional requirements for successful admission.
For further details and official updates, candidates are encouraged to visit the JAMB official website.
