"The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially announced 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for university admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session."
In a decisive move following the 2026 Policy Meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2026, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has pegged the minimum cut-off mark for university admissions at 150. This decision, reached after extensive deliberations with heads of various tertiary institutions across the country, aims to standardize admission procedures while maintaining academic integrity for the upcoming session.
Beyond universities, the board established a cut-off mark of 100 for polytechnics and 150 for colleges of nursing. These thresholds serve as the minimum benchmark for institutions to consider candidates for admission; however, institutions reserve the right to raise their individual cut-off marks based on internal policies and the competitive nature of specific programs. The meeting also addressed long-standing discussions regarding the age limit for admission, reaffirming that 16 years remains the mandatory minimum age for entry into any tertiary institution in Nigeria.
This policy announcement marks a pivotal phase in the 2026 admission cycle. With over 2.2 million candidates having participated in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) across 989 centers, stakeholders are urged to align their admission strategies with these newly released guidelines. Candidates are advised to monitor the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) frequently to ensure they meet the specific requirements of their chosen institutions and to act promptly once admission offers are uploaded.
Calculate Your 2026 University Aggregate Score
Check your admission chances across UNILAG, LASU, UI, OAU, FUTA, UNIBEN, and 50+ Nigerian institutions with CampusAI's official formula engine.
Calculate Aggregate Score Now →
