Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the approved minimum scores for the 2026 admission exercise, with universities across Nigeria adopting different benchmarks for prospective students. The newly released JAMB cut off mark for institutions was approved during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Monday.
According to the list released by JAMB, Pan-Atlantic University recorded the highest JAMB cut off mark for the 2026 academic session, setting its minimum admission score at 220. The university, located along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos State, emerged as the institution with the most competitive benchmark among Nigerian universities this year.
Several top federal and private universities also fixed their minimum admission score at 200. These institutions include Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Covenant University, and the Air Force Institute of Technology. Candidates seeking admission into these schools are expected to meet or surpass the approved JAMB cut off mark to qualify for further screening processes.
Lagos State University and Lagos State University of Science and Technology adopted 195 as their minimum score, while Lagos State University of Education fixed its admission benchmark at 185 for the 2026 admission exercise.
A significant number of universities across the country settled for a minimum score of 180. Among them are Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja, now officially known as Yakubu Gowon University, University of Ilorin, Afe Babalola University, Nigeria Police Academy, and the Nigerian University of Technology and Management.
Meanwhile, institutions such as the University of Jos, Babcock University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University, Lafia, and Nasarawa State University pegged their minimum score at 170.
The 160 category contains the largest number of universities on the list. Institutions under this category include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University, Osun State University, Modibbo Adama University, Imo State University, Landmark University, and Redeemer’s University, among many others.
Other universities, including AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Adamawa State University, Adeleke University, and African School of Economics, Abuja, adopted 150 as their minimum admission benchmark for the 2026 session.
JAMB clarified that the approved JAMB cut off mark only represents the minimum requirement for admission consideration into tertiary institutions. The examination body explained that universities still reserve the right to set higher benchmarks for highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Nursing.
Education stakeholders have advised candidates not to rely solely on the general admission benchmark but to aim for higher scores to improve their chances of gaining admission into competitive institutions and programs.
The announcement of the 2026 JAMB cut off mark has already generated reactions among students and parents across the country, especially as universities continue to adjust their admission standards based on competitiveness and available spaces.
With the admission process expected to commence soon, candidates are encouraged to regularly monitor updates from JAMB and their preferred institutions regarding post-UTME screenings, departmental requirements, and admission guidelines.
