The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the official minimum cut‑off marks for the 2025/2026 academic session. These benchmarks define eligibility for admission into universities, colleges of nursing, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This guide explains the cut‑off marks, institutional autonomy, and what your score means for your admission prospects.
1. Overview & Official Cut‑Off Marks
At JAMB’s 2025 admissions policy meeting in Abuja, the following national minimum thresholds were ratified:
| Institution Type | Official Cut‑Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 140 |
| Polytechnics / Colleges of Education / Agriculture | 100 |
These figures represent the minimum eligible scores—institutions can opt to set higher cut‑offs based on demand, course competitiveness, or capacity constraints
For context, in 2024 the minimum for universities had been 140; the increase to 150 represents a tightening of admissions standards.
2. Why These Cut‑Off Marks Matter
✅ Eligibility for Admission Screening
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If you scored 150 or above, you are eligible for university admission screening (post‑UTME, CBT tests, etc.), assuming you listed the institution as your first choice.
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A score of 140+ qualifies you for nursing colleges.
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A score of 100+ is valid for polytechnics, education, or agriculture colleges
⚠️ Institutions Can Set Higher Benchmarks
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Lagos State University (LASU) and LASUSTECH have set their cut‑offs at 195, even though the JAMB floor is 150
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TASUED (Tai Solarin University of Education) is at 160, and LASUED demands 170
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Fountain University requires 150+, with some courses like Nursing scoring 170–220 depending on the programme
🧠 Course Competitiveness
Highly competitive programmes (Medicine, Law, Engineering, etc.) often have departmental cut‑off marks set well above the school’s general threshold. For example, some federal universities raise their cut‑off to 200 or more for top-tier courses.
3. Institutional Examples of Higher Cut‑Off Marks
Here’s a snapshot of universities that already set higher limits above the national floor:
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Lagos State University (LASU): 195 for all undergraduate programmes
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LASUSTECH: 195 cut‑off mark required for admission eligibility
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Ogun State’s TASUED: 160 for all courses
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LASUED (Education University): 170 minimum cut‑off for admission screening
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Fountain University: General requirement of 150+, with some programmes requiring up to 220 (e.g. Nursing Science)
4. What Should You Do With Your JAMB Score?
🏛️ Check Your School's Actual Cut-Off
Don’t just rely on the national benchmark—visit your chosen institution's official site or ScholarConnect Africa for departmental cut‑offs and additional requirements (e.g. O’level results, first-choice status).
🎯 Apply Strategically
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If your score is 150 or more, you're eligible for most universities—but only if their specific departmental cut‑off isn’t higher.
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Scores between 140–149 could still qualify you for nursing colleges or universities with lower thresholds.
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Scores from 100–139 are still viable for polytechnics and colleges of education.
📊 Explore Alternate Options
If your score falls short:
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Look into polytechnics or education colleges.
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Consider direct entry (JUPEB/IJMB) to enter at 200-level.
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Monitor for supplementary admissions if your school missed your course in the first screening.
5. Additional Tips for Candidates
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Monitor Post‑UTME Updates: Admission screening forms start rolling out as schools finalize screening criteria.
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Prepare Required Documents: O’level results (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), birth certificate, and identification must be ready.
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Customize Applications: Tailor your Post‑UTME preparation based on each school’s screening approach—some use CBT tests, others rely on composite scores.
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Consider Course Alignment: If your score is borderline, choose a related course with lower cut‑off requirements.
✅ Final Thoughts
The release of the 2025 JAMB cut‑off marks is your launchpad. Remember:
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150 is the minimum for universities nationwide.
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140 for nursing colleges; 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
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Top institutions may require 170–195+ based on course and competition levels.
But that’s not the end—all institutions have the autonomy to raise their bars. Keep checking your school of choice and course requirements via official channels—or rely on ScholarConnect Africa to deliver daily updates.
🔗 Call to Action
Don’t miss out on admission updates, screening dates, and course-specific thresholds.
👉 Visit ScholarConnect Africa daily and follow us on social media for real-time alerts, guides, and expert insight!
Thank you for this info
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