The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026 academic session, marking a key decision in this year’s policy framework on tertiary education admissions.
The resolution was reached during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja, attended by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside vice chancellors, rectors, provosts, and heads of regulatory agencies across the country.
Under the new benchmark, polytechnics and monotechnics will admit candidates with a minimum score of 100, while colleges of nursing sciences will also maintain a 150 minimum threshold for entry.
The meeting also approved strict timelines for the completion of admissions nationwide. Public universities are expected to conclude admissions by October 31, private universities by November 30, while polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education have until December 31, 2026.
Major reform in teacher and agricultural education
In one of the most significant policy changes, the Minister of Education announced that candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with at least four credit passes will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.
The reform, which will also apply to some National Diploma programmes in agriculture-related fields, is aimed at reducing barriers to entry and encouraging more participation in sectors critical to national development.
However, affected candidates will still undergo screening and verification through JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) before final admission is granted.
Universities remain competitive
In its report on the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, JAMB disclosed that Lagos State University has retained its position as the most sought-after university in Nigeria, attracting 84,326 first-choice applicants.
It was followed by the University of Lagos with 78,240 applications, while Obafemi Awolowo University ranked third with 60,370 applications.
JAMB noted that LASU’s continued rise reflects growing confidence in the institution’s academic standards, infrastructure development, and administrative stability. The university has consistently climbed from third place in 2023 to first position in 2025 and 2026.
Oloyede urges integrity in admissions
The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, used the platform to call on tertiary institutions to maintain transparency and fairness in the admission process, warning against irregular admissions that could undermine public trust.
He also presided over the policy meeting for the final time ahead of the end of his second tenure in August 2026.
What it means going forward
The new cut-off marks and reforms signal a broader attempt to balance access to education with quality assurance in Nigeria’s tertiary system. While more students may find it easier to enter certain programmes, competition for university admission remains tight, especially in top institutions.
Overall, the 2026 policy decisions reflect a system trying to widen access while still maintaining academic standards in a rapidly expanding education landscape.