The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially concluded the 2026 Policy Meeting held in Abuja, where critical decisions affecting the 2026/2027 admission process were announced.
The annual policy meeting brings together Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, education stakeholders, and government officials to determine admission guidelines for Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Here are the major highlights and what they mean for candidates seeking admission this year.
1. JAMB Retains 150 as Minimum Cut-Off Mark for Universities
JAMB officially approved 150 as the minimum admissible UTME score for universities in Nigeria for the 2026 admission exercise.
This means:
- Candidates who scored 150 and above are eligible to apply for admission into universities.
- However, institutions are free to set higher cut-off marks depending on their admission standards and course competitiveness.
Competitive courses such as:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Law
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Engineering
- Computer Science
will still require much higher scores in most universities.
2. Approved Cut-Off Marks for Other Institutions
The following benchmarks were also approved during the meeting:
| Institution Type | Minimum Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Polytechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of Education | 100 |
| Colleges of Nursing Sciences | 150 |
This development gives candidates with lower UTME scores more opportunities to secure admission through alternative institutions.
3. Institutions Can Set Higher Cut-Off Marks
JAMB clarified that the approved benchmarks are only the national minimum standards.
Individual institutions still have the authority to:
- Increase their general cut-off marks
- Set departmental cut-off marks
- Conduct Post-UTME screening exercises
For example:
- A university may accept 150 generally
- But require 220 for Nursing
- 250 for Medicine
- 200 for Engineering
Candidates are advised to always check the official requirements of their preferred institutions.
4. Major Relief for Some NCE Candidates
One of the most talked-about announcements from the meeting is the new policy affecting some Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.
According to reports:
- Candidates applying for certain education-related programmes
- And some agriculture-related non-engineering courses
may no longer need to write UTME before gaining admission.
This policy is expected to encourage more students to study education courses in Nigeria.
However, applicants must still:
- Meet O’Level requirements
- Register properly with JAMB
- Follow institutional admission procedures
5. JAMB Warns Schools Against Illegal Admissions
JAMB strongly warned institutions against offering admissions outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
The board emphasized that:
- Any admission not processed through CAPS is illegal
- Such admissions may become invalid
- Affected students may face problems during NYSC mobilization or certificate verification
Candidates are advised to always monitor their CAPS portal regularly.
6. Admission Process to Become More Transparent
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasized the need for:
- Merit-based admissions
- Fairness in the admission process
- Faster admission processing
- Improved transparency
Institutions are also expected to complete admissions within the approved admission calendar for the session.
What This Means for Candidates
If You Scored 150 and Above
You still have good admission opportunities, especially if you:
- Choose less competitive courses
- Apply to state universities
- Consider private universities
- Explore institutions with moderate competition
If You Scored Below 150
You can still consider:
- Polytechnics
- Colleges of Education
- IJMB programmes
- JUPEB programmes
- Pre-degree programmes
Important Advice for Candidates
To improve your admission chances:
- Upload your O’Level results on JAMB CAPS
- Monitor CAPS regularly
- Accept admission promptly when offered
- Be flexible with course changes if necessary
- Avoid admission scams and unofficial agents
Final Thoughts
The 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting has provided clearer direction for candidates and institutions ahead of the admission exercise.
While the 150 benchmark offers hope to many candidates, admission into highly competitive courses will still depend on:
- UTME performance
- O’Level grades
- Post-UTME scores
- Institutional requirements
Candidates are encouraged to stay informed and make smart admission decisions based on their scores and available opportunities.
