JAMB 2025: Minimum Admission Cut-Off Marks Announced for Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in collaboration with key stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector, has officially announced the minimum cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This decision was reached during the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions, which was attended by heads of various tertiary institutions, regulatory agencies, and representatives from the Ministry of Education. After careful deliberation, the following benchmarks have been approved as the minimum scores required for admission consideration across different categories of institutions:
• Universities: 150 and above
• Polytechnics: 100 and above
• Colleges of Education: 100 and above
• Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140 and above
These cut-off marks serve as the baseline for institutions to set their individual admission requirements. While no institution is allowed to admit candidates below the approved national minimum, schools are free to raise their cut-off marks above the benchmark, depending on their internal policies, the number of available spaces, and the competitiveness of their programmes.
Implications for Candidates
This announcement provides clarity for candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and are now preparing for the admission process. Candidates who scored:
• 150 or more can apply for admission into universities;
• 100 or more are eligible for polytechnics and colleges of education;
• 140 or more can seek admission into colleges of nursing sciences.
It is important to note that meeting the minimum cut-off mark does not guarantee automatic admission. Candidates must still meet other requirements such as subject combinations, post-UTME performance (where applicable), O’Level results, and school-specific criteria.
Advice for Candidates
All UTME candidates are strongly advised to:
1. Check the individual cut-off marks of their preferred institutions, as some may set higher standards than the national minimum.
2. Monitor the JAMB CAPS portal regularly for updates on admission status.
3. Participate in Post-UTME screening if required by the institution of choice.
4. Ensure their O’Level results are uploaded to the JAMB portal for proper admission consideration.
Final Note
This new cut-off mark policy reflects efforts by stakeholders to make tertiary education more accessible, while also maintaining quality and standards in the admission process. As the 2025/2026 admission season progresses, students are encouraged to stay informed, be proactive, and follow official guidelines to increase their chances of securing admission into their desired institutions.