UTME 2026: JAMB Refuses To Raise University Cut-Off Mark, Retains 150 Despite Public Criticism

Board maintains existing benchmark for universities and nursing colleges as Education Minister insists admissions outside CAPS remain illegal.

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By Oyiridia Orjinta – ABUJA — May 11, 2026

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has retained 150 as the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The decision was announced on Monday during JAMB’s annual policy meeting held in Abuja, following deliberations and voting by vice-chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions across the country.

Universities Retain 150 Benchmark

According to JAMB, the approved benchmark — officially referred to as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score — means no university is permitted to admit candidates who score below 150 out of the 400 obtainable marks.

The board also approved 150 as the minimum score for colleges of nursing sciences, while polytechnics will admit candidates from a minimum score of 100.

Despite the national benchmark, tertiary institutions retain the authority to set higher cut-off marks depending on their admission standards and competitiveness.

Previous Controversy Over Low Cut-Off

The retention of the 150 benchmark comes amid lingering public debate over admission standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Last year, the same cut-off sparked criticism from stakeholders and education observers who argued that the score was too low for university admission and could negatively affect academic quality.

However, JAMB maintained that the benchmark serves as the minimum acceptable threshold, while institutions are free to adopt stricter requirements.

FG Maintains 16 Years Minimum Admission Age

Speaking during the policy meeting, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years.

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“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” the minister stated.

He explained that the decision was aimed at balancing inclusivity with academic preparedness.

“This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness. While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines to preserve the integrity of the system as a whole,” he added.

JAMB Warns Against Illegal Admissions

The minister further warned tertiary institutions against offering admissions outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), stressing that such admissions would be considered illegal and unrecognised by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, JAMB also announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture non-engineering courses would no longer be required to sit for the UTME examination.

The development is part of broader reforms aimed at expanding access to specialised educational programmes in the country.

The latest policy decisions by JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education are expected to shape the admission process for millions of candidates seeking placement into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

With the retention of the 150 university cut-off mark and renewed emphasis on CAPS compliance, attention is likely to remain focused on balancing access to education with the preservation of academic standards.