The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the minimum approved Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off marks for Nigerian universities participating in the 2026/2027 admission exercise.
The landmark decisions were finalized and presented to stakeholders during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Monday, May 11, 2026.
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This comprehensive guide breaks down the approved institutions’ minimum admissible scores, critical deadlines, and policy implications for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities this year.
Key Highlights from the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting
- The Highest Cut-off Mark: Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) adopted 220, setting the highest baseline score on the list.
- Top-Tier Benchmark: Elite public and private institutions—including the University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), and Covenant University—have fixed their minimum threshold at 200.
- Strict October Deadline: JAMB has set an October 2026 deadline for all universities to conclude their 2026 admission processes.
- The “Minimum Threshold” Rule: JAMB emphasized that these approved figures represent the absolute minimum baseline for consideration. Individual universities reserve the right to set significantly higher cut-off marks for highly competitive professional courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering.
2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks: The Master List (By Score)
This structured table displays the official minimum cut-off marks submitted by universities for the 2026 admissions cycle.
| Cut-Off Mark | Eligible Universities / Institutions |
| 220 | Pan-Atlantic University |
| 200 | Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Covenant University Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) University of Benin (UNIBEN) University of Ibadan (UI) University of Lagos (UNILAG) University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) |
| 195 | Lagos State University (LASU) Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) |
| 185 | Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) |
| 180 | Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Federal University of Health Sciences Nigeria Police Academy Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) Shanahan University University of Abuja (UniAbuja) University of Ilorin (Unilorin) |
| 170 | University of Jos (UniJos) Augustine University Babcock University Federal University of Applied Sciences Federal University (Various Locations) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Nasarawa State University (NSUK) BITS University |
| 160 | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Admiralty University of Nigeria African Aviation and Aerospace University Ajayi Crowther University Al-Hikmah University Bamidele Olumilua University Bayero University Kano (BUK) Bells University of Technology Caleb University Chrisland University Dominion University Emmanuel Alayande University of Education Federal University of Agriculture Federal University of Education Federal University of Health Sciences Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences Federal University of Technology (FUTO/FUTA) First Technical University Imo State University (IMSU) Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management Karl Kumm University Kwara State University (KWASU) Landmark University Lead City University Modibbo Adama University (MAUR) Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Plateau State University (PLASU) Redeemer’s University Summit University Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery University of Ilesa |
| 150 | AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University Adamawa State University (ADSU) Adeleke University African School of Economics |
Deep Dive: Understanding the Admissions Landscape
To put these numbers into perspective, the UTME scoring system operates out of a maximum of 400 marks. While many private universities historically accommodate lower entry baselines (Nnadozie et al., 2023), competitive public universities routinely utilize these baseline cut-off marks as a preliminary filter before administering Post-UTME screening tests.
How Aggregate Scores Are Calculated
For universities utilizing Post-UTME screening, admission is usually determined by a 50:50 weighted ratio combining the UTME score and the Post-UTME performance. This standardizes the selection process, especially for oversubscribed courses.
The Quota System
Admissions into federal and state universities are not determined solely by scores. Under active JAMB guidelines, admissions follow a structured quota system designed to ensure national representation:
- Merit (60%): Awarded strictly to top scorers regardless of state of origin.
- Catchment Area (20%): Reserved for candidates from geographical zones contiguous to the university.
- Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) (20%): Allotted to candidates from states designated as educationally disadvantaged to encourage equitable academic development.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does meeting the 200 cut-off mark guarantee admission into UNILAG or UI?
No. Meeting the 200 score is the baseline requirement to be eligible for their screening. For highly competitive courses like Medicine or Law, the actual departmental cut-off mark is significantly higher, often calculated based on a combination of UTME scores, O’Level grades, and Post-UTME results.
2. Can I change my institution if my UTME score is lower than my preferred school’s cut-off?
Yes. Candidates whose scores fall below their initial choices can utilize the JAMB Change of Course/Institution portal to transition to universities with baseline cut-offs matching their performance (e.g., moving from a 200-threshold school to a 180 or 160-threshold school).
3. When is the deadline for 2026/2027 admissions?
According to the JAMB policy directive issued in Abuja, all tertiary institutions must conclude their admission lists and upload them to the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) by October 2026.
References
- Nnadozie, E., Jerome, A., & Aregbeyen, O. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Sustaining University Education for and National Development in Nigeria. Education and Human Development. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109454Cited by: 14
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