JAMB: 150 revealed as cut-off for university admission

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

University Chancellors have endorsed 150 as the minimum cut-off point (minimum admissible mark) for admission into the university for the 2025/2026 admission year.

Similarly, Rectors of the Polytechnics endorsed 100 as the minimum cut-off point (minimum admissible mark) for admission into the university for the 2025/2026 admission year.

Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education (FCE) also voted for 100 for admission cut-off; while School/Colleges of Nursing voted for 140.

These decisions were taken at the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions and the 5th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Meeting and Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa endorsed the decisions of the VCs, Rectors, and Provost, even though he lamented that the score is low when compared to the level of investments being made in the education sector.

From all indications, the Minister wanted 160 as the minimum score for the university, 120 or above for Polytechnic and Colleges of Education, but his choice was overruled by the voices of the stakeholders, thus forcing him to succumb to their demands.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede reminded the stakeholders and Nigerians that the decision was not JAMB’s but the VCs, Rectors, Provosts, and other relevant individuals. Hence, nobody should query JAMB for the cut-off point.

“Nevertheless, the institutions are at total liberty to choose a higher score as submitted to JAMB before the Policy Meeting decision, for their admissions for whatever reasons, but they are not allowed to admit a candidate with a score below the agreed score at the 2025 Policy Meeting.

“Similarly, no institution is allowed to conduct admission outside the approved Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). The Minister has directed that some sanctions be taken on institutions that violate the admission guidelines.”

Meanwhile, some of the participants told journalists that the decision for the perceived low score was so that more candidates could be accepted.

“Many of the institutions don’t have candidates, and that was because of the high admission score. So we need to bring it down so more people with low scores can apply.

The meeting also adopted the decision that the 2025 admission exercise into public universities ends in October and November or December for private universities.