JAMB Retains 150 as Minimum Cut-Off Mark for University Admission in Nigeria for 2026/2027 Session

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has approved and maintained 150 as the minimum score required for admission into universities across Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session. The decision is expected to shape admission processes nationwide and provide guidance to candidates preparing for tertiary education admission.

This announcement comes as a major relief to many candidates and parents who had been anxious about possible changes in the admission benchmark. By retaining the 150 cut-off mark, JAMB aims to sustain accessibility to higher education while allowing universities the flexibility to determine their internal admission requirements.

What the 150 Cut-Off Mark Means

The approved score of 150 serves as the general minimum benchmark for admission consideration into Nigerian universities. However, it is important for candidates to understand that scoring 150 does not automatically guarantee admission into every university or course of study.

Highly competitive institutions and courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Nursing often set higher departmental cut-off marks depending on the number of applicants and available admission slots.

In essence:

150 is the national minimum benchmark approved by JAMB.
Universities still reserve the right to set higher institutional or departmental cut-off marks.
Candidates must also meet other admission requirements including O’Level results, post-UTME performance, and subject combinations.

Implications for Candidates

The retention of the 150 benchmark creates opportunities for more students seeking university admission, especially those applying to less competitive institutions and programs. It also encourages candidates not to lose hope if they scored around the minimum threshold.

Nevertheless, education experts continue to emphasize the importance of aiming for higher scores to improve admission chances, particularly in federal universities and competitive disciplines.

Candidates are advised to:

Carefully research the admission policies of their preferred institutions.
Prepare adequately for post-UTME screenings where applicable.
Consider alternative institutions or courses if their scores are below competitive ranges.
Monitor official announcements from JAMB and universities regularly.