The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities for the 2026/2027 academic session, while polytechnics and colleges of education will admit candidates with a minimum score of 100.
The decision was announced on Monday during JAMB’s policy meeting held in Abuja after deliberations by vice-chancellors and other stakeholders.
JAMB also said the scores, officially known as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, serve as the minimum admission benchmarks for tertiary institutions nationwide, although institutions are allowed to set higher cut-off marks based on their admission policies.
The board retained the same university cut-off mark adopted last year.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who addressed stakeholders at the meeting, announced that the Federal Government had maintained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to the minister, the decision followed consultations and policy reviews aimed at balancing inclusiveness with academic preparedness.
He also stated that exceptionally gifted candidates below the approved age benchmark could still be considered for admission under clearly defined guidelines.
The minister further warned that admissions conducted outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) remain illegal and would not be recognised by the government.
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