JAMB Cut-Off Marks for Universities: Everything Candidates Need to Know
It’s official: the JAMB cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 session have just been set. Whether you’ve been nervous about your score or you’re already confident in your result, the wait is finally over. We finally have a clear roadmap for this year’s admission, so you can stop guessing and start planning your next move.
What Happened at the JAMB Policy Meeting?
JAMB held its annual policy meeting in Abuja. If you’re wondering why this matters, it’s basically the room where they set the ground rules for the entire admission year.
This year’s meeting had the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), in attendance, alongside stakeholders from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
The most important part of the day was setting the official cut-off marks, finally giving candidates a clear idea of the scores needed to move forward.
The Official JAMB Cut-Off Marks for 2026/2027
The JAMB minimum admissible scores for 2026/2027:
| Institution | Minimum Cut-Off Mark |
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 150 |
| Polytechnics100 | 100 |
| Colleges of Education / Agriculture (NCE)No UTME Score Required | No UTME Score Required |
Yes, you read that last row correctly.
Education and Agriculture Are Now JAMB-Free
If you’re looking to get into a College of Education (NCE) or certain Agriculture courses, you no longer need a JAMB score.
That’s a massive shift. It basically means that JAMB is no longer a barrier for aspiring teachers or agric students at the NCE level. No score? No problem. The government is pushing hard to get more people into teaching and farming, and this move is going to open doors for thousands of people who might have been stuck before.
What the “Minimum JAMB Cut-Off” Actually Means
Okay, let’s clear up a huge mistake a lot of candidates make every year. When you hear that 150 is the “minimum” for universities, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically getting into your dream school just because you hit that number.
Think of it this way:
- JAMB sets the floor: No school is allowed to go lower than the score they agreed on today. It’s the bare minimum to even stay in the race.
- Universities set their own rules: Schools are 100% free to set their own standards. A university might decide they aren’t looking at anyone below 180 or 200, regardless of what the national minimum is.
- Competitive courses usually want more: If you’re aiming for Medicine, Law, or Engineering, the bar is always going to be much higher. Even at a school with a 150 cut-off, these competitive departments might still demand a 220 or 250.
Individual University Cut-Off Marks for 2026
Here’s where things get competitive. These are the cut-off marks adopted by individual universities across Nigeria for the 2026 admissions exercise:
| Universities | Cut-Off Marks |
| Pan – Atlantic University | 220 |
| Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | 200 |
| University of Ibadan (UI) | 200 |
| University of Lagos (UNILAG) | 200 |
| University of Nigeria (UN) | 200 |
| University of Benin (UNIBEN) | 200 |
| Covenant University | 200 |
| Air Force Institute of Technology | 200 |
| Federal University of Medicine & Medical Sciences | 200 |
| Lagos State University (LASU) | 195 |
| LASUSTECH | 195 |
| Lagos State University of Education | 185 |
| Afe Babalola University | 180 |
| Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | 180 |
| University of Abuja | 180 |
| University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | 180 |
| University of Jos | 170 |
| Babcock University | 170 |
| Ladoke Akintola University of Tech (LAUTECH) | 170 |
| Nasarawa State University | 170 |
| Bayero University Kano (BUK) | 160 |
| Nnamdi Azikiwe University | 160 |
| Olabisi Onabanjo University | 160 |
| Redeemer’s University | 160 |
| Kwara State University | 160 |
| Landmark University | 160 |
| Lead City University | 160 |
| Imo State University | 160 |
| Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University | 160 |
| AI – HIKmah University | 160 |
| Caleb University | 160 |
| Federal University of Technology (various) | 160 |
| Adamawa State University | 150 |
| Adeleke University | 150 |
| African School of Economics | 150 |
| University of Uyo (UNIUYO) | 160 |
What Should You Do Now After the Cut-Off Mark Has Been Announced?
Now that the cut-off marks have been released, this is the time to act quickly and strategically.
Your next steps will determine your chances of gaining admission.
Here’s what you should focus on:
Check Your Eligibility
Compare your JAMB score with your chosen school’s cut-off mark to confirm if you qualify for your preferred course.
Start Preparing for Post-UTME
Don’t wait for the form to come out. Begin studying past questions and revising key subjects immediately.
Upload Your O’Level Result on JAMB CAPS
Make sure your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB results are uploaded to avoid disqualification during admission processing.
Stay Updated
Follow your school’s official website and trusted groups for updates on Post-UTME dates and registration.
Plan Your Alternatives
If your score is low, consider related courses, other schools, or Direct Entry as backup options.
The Announcement Is Out – Now What?
The JAMB cut-off marks are out. JAMB has played its part -now it’s your turn.
Follow the guide and take the right steps immediately. Your JAMB score is just the beginning.
What really determines admission is what you do next.
Start preparing for Post-UTME now, practise past questions, upload your O’Level results on JAMB CAPS, and stay updated with your school’s official announcements.
Stay focused and act early.
