The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off scores accepted by institutions throughout the country for the 2026/2027 admissions cycle. The cut-off values were set during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions, which took place in Abuja on Monday, May 11. 2026 Nigerian Universities Cut-Off Marks.
JAMB established 150 as the minimum cut-off point for admission to Nigerian institutions for the 2026 academic year. The decision was made during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and stakeholders from various higher institutions were present. Stakeholders established a minimum score of 100 for admission to polytechnics and monotechnics, with colleges of nursing sciences accepting applicants with a minimum score of 150.
Individual colleges, on the other hand, have the option of setting their own, higher standards, which many do. JAMB said that the approved values are the minimal limits for admission consideration and that universities may establish higher standards for competitive courses such as medicine, law, pharmacy, and engineering.
Key Highlights
Pan-Atlantic University set the highest criterion at 220, while numerous other top universities, like the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan, placed theirs at 200.
All public institutions are anticipated to finish their admissions processes by October 31, 2026. Private institutions were given an additional one-month window, with admissions set to expire on November 30, 2026.
Complete List of Universities and Their 2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks
The list below is based on JAMB’s official 2026 policy meeting announcements.
Cut-off Mark: 220
– Pan Atlantic University
The cut-off mark is 200
– Air Force Institute of Technology
– Covenant University
The Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences
– Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
The University of Benin (UNIBEN)
– University of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Lagos (UNILAG)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
Cut-off Mark: 195
Lagos State University (LASU)
The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH)
Cut-off Mark: 185
– Lagos State University of Education
Cut-Off Mark: 180
– Afe Babalola University
– Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
– Federal University of Health Sciences.
– Nigerian Police Academy
– Nigerian University of Technology and Management
– Shanahan University
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
– University of Abuja
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
Cut-off mark: 170
– Augustine University
– Babcock University
– BITS University
– Federal University
– Federal University of Applied Sciences.
– Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
– Nasarawa State University
– University of Jos
Cut-Off Mark: 160
– Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU)
Admiralty University of Nigeria.
– African Aviation & Aerospace University
– Ajayi Crowther University
– Al-Hikmah University
Bamidele Olumilua University
– Bayero University Kano (BUK)
– Bell University of Technology.
– Caleb University
– Chris Land University
– Dominion University
Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.
– Federal University of Agriculture.
– Federal University of Education.
– Federal University of Technology (Various)
– First Technical University
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University
– Imo State University
– Isaac Balami, University of Aeronautics and Management
– Karl Kumm University
– Kwara State University
– Landmark University
– Lead City University.
Modibbo Adama University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
– and many others.
Cut-off mark: 150 (JAMB national minimum)
– Abdul Rasaq Abubakar, Toyin University.
– Adamawa State University
– Adeleke University
– African School of Economics
The American University of Nigeria (AUN)
– and several federal, state, and private colleges.
Course-specific guidance
Even when a university has a universal cut-off of 150 or 160, competitive programs have far higher effective admittance marks in practice. Courses such as medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, computer science, and engineering typically demand substantially higher marks since thousands of students apply each year. Although the JAMB cut-off mark for colleges in 2026 is 150, if you want to enroll in any medical-related course, you must score 260 or more. Realistically, applicants pursuing medicine should strive for 280+. Some colleges limit nursing admissions to 250 or more students.
A safe aim for competitive courses in 2026 is normally 250 or above. For modest courses, 180-220 might still provide good admission prospects, depending on the school.
Important Notes for Candidates
1. These are minimal cut-offs, not guarantees. Scoring over the cut-off simply qualifies you; ultimate admission is based on your overall standing among all candidates.
2. Post-UTME matters. Many institutions perform their own screening or post-UTME, and the score is merged with your UTME result to determine final selection.
3. Always verify on official portals. Institutions may alter or adjust cut-off marks at any moment. Confirm your school’s current criteria using JAMB’s CAPS site (caps.jamb.gov.ng) or your preferred institution’s admissions portal.
4. Admission deadlines: Public colleges must finish admissions by October 31, 2026, and private institutions by November 30, 2026. 2026 Nigerian Universities Cut-Off Marks.