JAMB Sets 150 Minimum Cut-Off for 2026 Nigerian University Admissions
Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) established a minimum UTME cut-off mark of 150 for university admissions in the 2026 academic session. Announced in Abuja, this policy maintains previous standards while allowing individual institutions to set higher thresholds; Pan-Atlantic University set the highest at 220. JAMB also released top scorer results, led by Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin with 372 marks, and imposed strict admission deadlines. This regulatory decision impacts millions of candidates, standardizing entry requirements across Nigerian tertiary institutions for the upcoming year.
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JAMB Records Over 22 Million UTME and Direct Entry Candidates Since 2015
A recent report by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reveals that over 22.5 million candidates registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) between 2015 and 2026. The data indicates that UTME registrations dominated with approximately 21.26 million candidates, while DE accounted for about 1.28 million. Registration numbers fluctuated annually, peaking in 2026 with 2,295,877 total registrations, despite drops in years like 2021 and 2023. In addition to releasing these statistics, JAMB and stakeholders in the tertiary education sector convened in Abuja for the 2026 annual policy meeting. During this session, they approved a minimum admission benchmark of 150 for universities for the 2026/2027 academic session. Furthermore, a minimum score of 100 was adopted for admissions into polytechnics and colleges of education, while Colleges of Nursing maintained the 150 benchmark. This report highlights both the growing demand for tertiary education in Nigeria and the regulatory standards being enforced for admissions.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsFemale Candidate Tops 2026 UTME as Nigerian Universities Retain 150 Cutoff
Owoeye Jesudunsin, a female candidate aiming to study Medicine at the University of Lagos, emerged as the top scorer in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with 372 out of 400 marks. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced these results during its 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja. Enwere Ikenna and Bamisile Emmanuel secured second and third places with scores of 370 and 369, respectively. During the meeting, JAMB and tertiary education stakeholders agreed to maintain the minimum admission benchmark at 150 for universities and colleges of nursing, while setting it at 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. Although institutions can set higher cutoffs, they cannot admit candidates below these national minimums. JAMB also established strict deadlines for the 2025/2026 admission cycle: public universities must conclude admissions by October 31, 2026, private universities by November 30, and polytechnics by December 31. Additionally, a new policy requires candidates to accept admission offers within four weeks or face forfeiture and potential ineligibility for future admissions. Over two million candidates participated in the examination nationwide.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsOgun Candidate Tops 2026 UTME with 372 Marks: Full List of Top Scorers Released
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the list of top-performing candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The announcement was made during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja. Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, who sat for the exam in Ogun State, emerged as the highest scorer with an impressive 372 marks, securing admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for Medicine and Surgery. The list highlights eleven outstanding students who scored between 367 and 372 marks. Other notable performers include Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Lagos with 370 marks and Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel from Ogun with 369 marks. The candidates hail from various states including Ekiti, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers, and have chosen prestigious institutions such as NILE, FUTA, Pan-Atlantic University, and UNIPORT. Their selected courses range from Computer Science and Software Engineering to Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. This release provides critical information for stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector regarding academic excellence and admission trends for the 2026 academic session.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsJAMB Releases 2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks for Nigerian Universities
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off marks approved by universities across Nigeria for the 2026 admission cycle. This announcement was made during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja. Pan-Atlantic University set the highest minimum score at 220, while several prestigious institutions, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University, adopted a cut-off of 200. Lagos State University and its science and technology counterpart fixed their scores at 195, whereas the Lagos State University of Education set theirs at 185. JAMB clarified that these figures represent the minimum thresholds for admission consideration, noting that individual institutions retain the authority to establish higher requirements for competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering. The full list includes a wide range of federal, state, and private universities with cut-offs varying from 220 down to 150, providing prospective students with clear guidelines for the upcoming academic session.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsJAMB Releases 2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks for Nigerian Universities
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores required for admission into universities across Nigeria for the 2026 academic session. This announcement provides prospective students with critical information regarding the specific benchmarks set by various tertiary institutions. Among the notable highlights of this release, Pan-Atlantic University has established the highest cut-off mark at 220, setting a significant standard for applicants aiming for this institution. The publication of these scores is a pivotal moment in the Nigerian higher education calendar, guiding millions of candidates on their eligibility for university placement. By defining these minimum thresholds, JAMB ensures a standardized approach to admissions while allowing individual universities to maintain their academic standards. This development is crucial for students, parents, and educational stakeholders as they navigate the competitive landscape of tertiary education in Nigeria. The release underscores the ongoing efforts to regulate and streamline the admission process, ensuring that only qualified candidates gain entry into the country's universities. Stakeholders are advised to review the full list of cut-off marks to make informed decisions regarding their application strategies and institutional choices for the upcoming academic year.
Vanguard NewsJAMB Sets 150 as Minimum University Admission Benchmark for 2025/2026 Session
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in collaboration with key stakeholders in Nigeria's tertiary education sector, has officially approved a minimum admission benchmark score of 150 for universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. This decision was finalized during the 2026 annual policy meeting on admissions held in Abuja. The approved scores, designated as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, establish a mandatory floor, prohibiting any tertiary institution from admitting candidates who score below this threshold. However, individual institutions retain the autonomy to set higher cut-off marks if they choose to do so. This benchmark maintains the standard set in the previous year, where universities also adopted 150, while polytechnics and colleges of education kept their minimum at 100. The agreement was reached following extensive deliberations and voting processes involving heads of various tertiary institutions, including vice-chancellors. This policy aims to standardize admission criteria across Nigerian universities, ensuring a consistent baseline for academic entry requirements. The announcement marks a significant step in the regulatory framework governing tertiary education admissions in Nigeria, impacting thousands of prospective students preparing for university entry in the upcoming session.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsJAMB Sets 150 as Minimum Cut-off Mark for 2026 University Admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria's primary body responsible for conducting tertiary entrance examinations, has officially established a minimum cut-off mark of 150 for admission into universities for the 2026 academic session. This decisive announcement sets the baseline score that candidates must achieve in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to be eligible for consideration by higher education institutions across the country. The determination of this threshold is a critical annual procedure that influences the admission prospects of millions of Nigerian students seeking undergraduate degrees. By fixing the score at 150, JAMB aims to standardize the entry requirements while balancing the need for academic quality with accessibility for a large pool of applicants. This policy directive will guide universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in their subsequent screening and admission processes. Stakeholders, including students, parents, and educational institutions, will now align their preparations and expectations with this new benchmark. The announcement underscores the board's role in regulating access to tertiary education in Nigeria, ensuring a structured approach to student selection for the upcoming academic year.
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