The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially retained 150 as the minimum university admission cut-off mark for the 2026/2027 academic session. The announcement was made on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, and it affects every student in Nigeria who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and is now waiting to secure a university placement.
If you are one of the over 2.2 million candidates who registered for the 2026 UTME, this article covers everything you need to understand about the new cut-off mark decision, what it means practically for your admission chances, what the scores for polytechnics and colleges of nursing are, the major new policy changes announced at the same meeting, and the steps you should take right now to move your admission process forward.
What Happened at the JAMB 2026 Policy Meeting?
The 2026 annual Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions was held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Jabi, Abuja. The meeting brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, including vice-chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics, provosts of colleges of education, and senior officials from JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and also featured the 6th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit (NATAP-M) Awards, which are designed to encourage compliance with admission guidelines and improve standards across tertiary institutions.
At the meeting, heads of tertiary institutions and education stakeholders deliberated on the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, which are the official benchmarks below which no tertiary institution in Nigeria is permitted to admit any candidate. After extensive deliberations and a vote by vice-chancellors and other institution heads present, 150 was retained as the cut-off for universities. The figure was proposed by numerous institutions, with proposals at the meeting ranging from 130 to 220. After voting, 150 was the agreed consensus and the figure has remained unchanged from the previous year.
Official 2026 JAMB University Admission Cut-Off mark
One of the most important things every UTME candidate needs to understand is that the cut-off mark is not a single number that applies to all institutions equally. Different types of tertiary institutions have different minimum benchmarks, and individual universities and polytechnics are free to set higher internal cut-offs for their specific courses and programmes.
Here is the official breakdown of the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores approved at the 2026 Policy Meeting:
- Universities: 150 out of 400
- Colleges of Nursing: 150 out of 400
- Polytechnics: 100 out of 400
- Monotechnics and Colleges of Education: 100 out of 400
What these figures mean in practice is that no university or college of nursing in Nigeria is allowed to admit any candidate who scored below 150 in the 2026 UTME. Similarly, no polytechnic is allowed to admit any candidate who scored below 100. These are absolute minimum thresholds, not the scores you need to actually get into competitive institutions or competitive courses.
It is critical that candidates understand the difference between the national minimum benchmark and the actual institutional cut-off mark. A candidate who scored 155 technically qualifies to be considered for university admission based on the national minimum, but if they applied to the University of Lagos to study Medicine and Surgery, their score would fall far short of what that specific course at that specific institution requires. The national minimum is the floor, not the ceiling.
What the 150 Cut-Off Mark Means for You as a Candidate
If you scored 150 or above in the 2026 UTME, you are eligible to be considered for admission into a university in Nigeria. However, scoring exactly 150 means you are at the lowest possible threshold and your options will naturally be limited compared to someone who scored 200 or above.
If you scored below 150, you cannot gain admission into a university or college of nursing through the regular UTME process for the 2026/2027 academic session. Your options at this point would be limited to polytechnics or colleges of education if you scored at least 100, or you would need to consider repeating the UTME in the next cycle.
If you scored exactly 100 to 149, you may apply to polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education that accept your score range, depending on the specific programme and institution.
One important point that many students miss is that the 150 cut-off for universities is the nationally agreed minimum, but individual institutions still set their own higher internal cut-offs for admission. Some universities set their general cut-off at 160, 170, or even 180. For particularly competitive courses such as Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Computer Science, the internal cut-offs at top federal universities can range from 220 to 300 or higher. Always check the specific cut-off mark published by your chosen institution for your chosen course.
Major New Policies Announced at the 2026 Admission Meeting
Beyond the cut-off marks themselves, the 2026 Policy Meeting produced a number of significant policy announcements that will affect thousands of Nigerian students in ways that go well beyond just the UTME score threshold. Here is a detailed breakdown of each major policy decision made at the meeting.
UTME Now Waived for Colleges of Education and Agriculture Programmes
One of the most significant policy shifts announced at the 2026 meeting is that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme will no longer be required to sit for the UTME. Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa confirmed this change at the meeting, stating clearly that the only requirement for entry into NCE programmes through Colleges of Education would now be a minimum of four credit passes in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or equivalent.
The exemption also extends to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma (ND) programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses at polytechnics and similar institutions. This is a major reform that removes a significant barrier for thousands of students who want to pursue teaching careers or study agriculture but may have struggled with the UTME process.
However, this waiver does not mean that affected candidates can bypass JAMB entirely. The minister was very clear on this point. Even without the UTME requirement, all candidates must still register with JAMB, and their credentials will be screened, verified, and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before any admission letter can be issued. The UTME examination itself is removed, but JAMB’s oversight role remains fully intact.
The rationale for this policy change, as explained by the minister, is to expand access to teacher education and address the growing deficit of trained teachers across Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Colleges of Education have significant capacity to absorb more students, and removing the UTME requirement is expected to increase enrolment substantially. The policy is also designed to encourage greater participation in agricultural programmes, which are critical to Nigeria’s food security.
Minimum Age for Tertiary Admission Remains 16 Years
At the 2026 Policy Meeting, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa reaffirmed that the Federal Government is retaining 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions nationwide. “Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions. This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness,” the minister stated.
JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede also addressed this issue at the meeting, noting that the 16-year minimum age policy is not a new creation and is rooted in Nigeria’s National Policy on Education of 1981, which established this threshold as a foundational standard for university readiness.
This means that any candidate who has not yet reached the age of 16 by the time admission is to be granted cannot be offered a place in any Nigerian tertiary institution for the 2026/2027 academic session, regardless of their UTME score. JAMB has a verification system in place to screen underage candidates, and institutions that admit underage students face regulatory consequences.
All Admissions Outside CAPS Are Illegal
One of the strongest messages delivered at the 2026 Policy Meeting was the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on admissions conducted outside the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Minister Alausa was unambiguous in his warning to institutional heads: “Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised. I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.”
CAPS has been the official vehicle for all tertiary institution admissions since it was introduced during the 2017/2018 admissions exercise. Any admission that bypasses CAPS, regardless of how it is processed at the institutional level, will not be recognized by the Federal Government, and the student admitted through such means will not be considered a legitimate student for official purposes.
Institutions that violate this rule face serious consequences. The minister explicitly stated that “any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” including the possible suspension of operating licences for repeat offenders.
As a candidate, this means you must ensure that any admission offer you accept is one that is properly processed through CAPS. If an institution offers you admission through unofficial channels or asks you to pay fees before your admission appears on CAPS, treat this as a red flag and report it to JAMB immediately.
Post-UTME Screening Fees Capped at N2,000
JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced at the meeting that institutions that wish to conduct post-UTME screening are free to do so, but the screening charge must not exceed N2,000 per candidate. This is an important consumer protection measure that prevents universities from exploiting candidates through excessive post-UTME fees, which had become a significant source of complaint in previous admission cycles.
If any institution asks you to pay more than N2,000 for post-UTME screening, that institution is in violation of JAMB’s official policy, and you have the right to report this to the board.
Admission Deadlines for the 2026/2027 Session
The 2026 Policy Meeting also officially fixed the deadlines for the completion of the entire 2026/2027 admission exercise. These deadlines are important for both candidates and institutions:
- Public Universities: Admissions must be concluded by December 31, 2026.
- Private Universities: Admissions must be concluded by November 30, 2026.
- Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Colleges of Education: Admissions must be concluded by December 31, 2026.
Prof. Oloyede warned that institutions that fail to complete their admissions within the stipulated period will lose access to the list of candidates on the CAPS platform. This is a significant enforcement mechanism that adds real urgency for institutions to process admissions promptly and for candidates to be responsive during the process.
Inclusion for Persons Living With Disabilities
Minister Alausa also used the platform of the policy meeting to highlight the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive education for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs). He confirmed that JAMB has been providing application fee waivers and targeted support initiatives to ensure that candidates with disabilities can participate fully in the UTME and the admissions process.
“This initiative is not only humane but also a powerful affirmation of our national commitment to equity and equal opportunity. The increasing participation of candidates with disabilities in our examinations and admissions processes is clear evidence that when barriers are removed, potential is unleashed,” the minister stated.
Top Scorers in the 2026 UTME
At the same policy meeting, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede also unveiled the top-scoring candidates in the 2026 UTME, offering a look at just how high the academic bar has been set by Nigeria’s best-performing students this year.
Topping the 2026 UTME charts is Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin from Ekiti State, who sat for her examination in Ogun State and scored an outstanding 372 out of a possible 400. Daniella listed Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as her first-choice programme. Her score is three points lower than last year’s top score of 375, which was recorded by Okeke Chinedu Christian from Anambra State.
Coming in second place is Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Imo State, who wrote his examination in Lagos State and scored 370. Ikenna selected Nile University of Nigeria as his first choice to study Computer Science.
Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel from Ondo State came third with a score of 369 and applied to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to study Software Engineering.
Multiple candidates scored 368, including Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin from Oyo State who applied to Pan-Atlantic University to study Mechatronics Engineering, Victor-Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi from Imo State who applied to the University of Port Harcourt to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen from Edo State who chose the University of Benin to study Mechanical Engineering, and Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony from Osun State who applied to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to study Computer Engineering.
The programmes and universities favored by the top scorers in 2026 are a clear reflection of where academic ambition and career aspiration converge in Nigeria today. Medicine, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics Engineering, and Electrical Engineering dominated the top scorers’ choices, while UNILAG, FUTA, OAU, University of Benin, University of Port Harcourt, and Covenant University featured prominently among the preferred institutions.
How Many Candidates Registered and Got Results in 2026?
The scale of the 2026 UTME underlines just how important this examination is to Nigeria’s education system. A total of 2,243,761 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, marking a slight increase compared to the previous year’s figure. As of the time of the policy meeting, 1,897,692 results had already been released, with remaining results being processed and released in batches.
Candidates who have not yet received their results can check their UTME 2026 scores by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) they registered with. Result slips are still pending for printing but the scores themselves are accessible via SMS.
The release of results for over 1.8 million candidates signals that the admissions process is moving quickly, and candidates who have received their results should begin checking the JAMB CAPS portal to understand their admission status and take any necessary next steps.
What Should Candidates Do Right Now?
With the cut-off marks now officially announced and the 2026/2027 admission exercise formally underway, here is a clear action plan for candidates to follow at this stage:
Check Your UTME Result
If you have not yet checked your 2026 UTME score, do so immediately. You can check via SMS by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using your registered SIM. You can also check through the official JAMB portal once result slips become available for printing. Knowing your exact score is the first step in understanding which institutions and courses you are realistically eligible for.
Upload Your O’Level Results to JAMB CAPS
One of the most common reasons candidates lose out on admissions they otherwise qualified for is failing to upload their O’Level results to the JAMB CAPS portal. Make sure your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB results are correctly uploaded. Any inconsistencies or missing data in your JAMB profile can cause delays or complications when institutions try to process your admission. Log into your JAMB profile, verify all your details, and ensure everything is accurate and complete.
Monitor JAMB CAPS for Your Admission Status
All legitimate admissions for the 2026/2027 session will flow through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Once institutions begin making admission offers, you will be able to see and accept or reject offers through your CAPS dashboard. Log in regularly to check your status and act promptly when an offer appears. Ignoring or delaying your response to an admission offer on CAPS can result in the offer being withdrawn or the slot going to another candidate.
Confirm Your Chosen Institution’s Internal Cut-Off
Now that the national minimum of 150 has been officially confirmed, visit the official website of your first-choice institution to check its own internal cut-off mark for your chosen course. The national minimum is just the starting point. If your score falls short of your preferred institution’s specific requirement, you may need to consider alternative institutions or programmes where your score is competitive.
Prepare for Post-UTME Screening
If the institution you applied to conducts post-UTME screening, begin preparing for it as soon as you confirm that your UTME score meets their cut-off requirements. Post-UTME screening tests your knowledge of the subjects relevant to your chosen course and is an important factor in the final admission decision at many universities. Remember that institutions are capped at charging a maximum of N2,000 for post-UTME screening.
Beware of Fraudsters Promising Admission
Every admission season brings a fresh wave of individuals who claim they can secure university placements outside the official JAMB system for a fee. These promises are fraudulent. As confirmed at the 2026 Policy Meeting, any admission not processed through CAPS is illegal and will not be recognized by the government. Never pay money to any individual or agent promising to secure your admission outside official channels. Report any such individual to JAMB or the relevant authorities.
How to Check JAMB CAPS and Confirm Your Admission
The Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) is where all legitimate 2026/2027 admissions will be processed and confirmed. Here is how to access it and what to look for:
Visit the official JAMB portal and log into your profile using your registered email address and password. Once logged in, navigate to the CAPS section, where you will be able to see your current admission status, any offers that have been made by institutions, and the options to accept or reject those offers.
If you have received an offer, review it carefully to confirm the institution, course, and mode of study are what you applied for. Once satisfied, accept the offer through CAPS. This is the official confirmation that triggers the formal admission process at the institution level. Do not accept any offer that you are not sure about, as withdrawing after acceptance can complicate your situation in the current admission cycle.
You can access the JAMB CAPS portal directly through the official JAMB website. For the most current updates on the 2026/2027 admission exercise, including any subsequent announcements following the May 11 policy meeting, follow the JAMB official news page and verified Nigerian education news platforms.
al to check eligibility requirements and begin their application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 JAMB Cut-Off Mark
If I scored exactly 150, can I get into any university?
Yes, you are technically eligible to apply to universities that set their internal cut-off at 150. However, very few federal universities accept 150 for competitive courses. Many state and private universities that accept 150 do so mainly for less competitive programmes. Research your options carefully and use the JAMB CAPS system to track your admission status.
Can a university set a cut-off lower than 150?
No. The national minimum of 150 is a binding floor set by the Policy Meeting. No university is permitted to admit any candidate who scored below 150 in the 2026 UTME. Institutions can only set their internal cut-offs at 150 or above, never below.
What is the cut-off for polytechnics in 2026?
The national minimum cut-off for polytechnics for the 2026/2027 admission session is 100 out of 400. Individual polytechnics may set their internal benchmarks higher than 100 for specific courses, so check with your chosen polytechnic directly.
Do College of Education candidates still need to take JAMB?
Following the new policy announced at the 2026 meeting, candidates applying for the NCE programme with a minimum of four credit passes no longer need to sit for the UTME. However, they must still register with JAMB and be screened through CAPS before admission letters are issued. JAMB registration and verification remain mandatory even if the UTME examination itself is waived.
What is CAPS and why is it important?
CAPS stands for Central Admissions Processing System. It is JAMB’s official digital platform through which all legitimate tertiary institution admissions in Nigeria are processed. Any admission that does not go through CAPS is illegal under current Federal Government policy and will not be recognized. All candidates should monitor their CAPS dashboard regularly during the admission season.
When is the deadline for 2026/2027 admissions?
For public universities, the deadline is December 31, 2026. For private universities, the deadline is November 30, 2026. For polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education, the deadline is December 31, 2026. Institutions that do not complete their admissions by these dates will lose access to candidate data on CAPS.
Can I check my UTME result by SMS?
Yes. JAMB has confirmed that candidates can check their 2026 UTME scores by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM phone number that was used during registration. Result slips for printing are still being made available in batches.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for 2026 University Admission Candidates
Getting admitted into a Nigerian university is a major achievement, but the financial demands of tertiary education can be overwhelming for many families. Aside from NELFUND, there are several scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian university students that every newly admitted candidate should explore.
The Federal Government Scholarship Board offers annual scholarships to Nigerian students studying at home and abroad through programs such as the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship, both of which are open to students who are enrolled or about to enroll in accredited institutions. You can visit the Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship Portal to check available scholarships and their application timelines.
State governments also operate their own scholarship programs for indigenes studying in tertiary institutions, and many large private sector organizations such as MTN Foundation, Shell, Chevron, Dangote Foundation, and NNPC offer competitive annual scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. The Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship, one of Nigeria’s longest-running private scholarships, is specifically designed for brilliant but indigent Nigerian undergraduates and accepts applications annually from students across all institutions and all courses.
For students interested in studying abroad after completing their Nigerian undergraduate degree, there are numerous international scholarship programs such as the Commonwealth Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship, DAAD Scholarship, and Fulbright Program that Nigerian graduates can apply to. Staying informed about these opportunities from the beginning of your undergraduate journey gives you the best chance of accessing funding when the time comes.
Final Thoughts
The decision by JAMB and Nigeria’s tertiary institution heads to retain 150 as the minimum university admission cut-off for the 2026/2027 academic session brings clarity to over two million candidates who sat for this year’s UTME and have been waiting anxiously for the official admission process to begin. The 150 benchmark is the starting point, not the destination, and every candidate’s next steps should be guided by a realistic understanding of their score, their chosen institution’s internal requirements, and the courses that are within reach.
Beyond the cut-off mark, the 2026 Policy Meeting delivered a series of consequential policy changes, most notably the UTME waiver for Colleges of Education and agriculture programmes, the firm crackdown on illegal admissions outside CAPS, the retention of the 16-year minimum admission age, and the capping of post-UTME screening fees at N2,000. These decisions collectively reflect a Nigerian education system that is working to balance access, quality, and accountability.
Whether you scored 200 and are aiming for a federal university, or you scored 150 and are exploring your options, the key is to act now. Check your result, upload your O’Level grades, log into CAPS, verify your institution’s cut-off, and prepare for post-UTME screening. Do not wait for others to figure things out first. The admission process rewards students who stay informed and move quickly.
For the latest updates from JAMB on the 2026/2027 admission exercise, visit the official JAMB website. For scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian university students, explore the Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship Portal to find financial support that matches your profile.
