If you are preparing for admission into any university, polytechnic, or college of education in Nigeria, one of the first things you must understand is the JAMB cut off mark for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Every year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) meets with university vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts during the national JAMB Policy Meeting to determine the minimum benchmark for admission.
This benchmark is the lowest UTME score institutions are allowed to accept, although schools can decide to use higher cut off marks for their own admission process.
In this guide, you will see:
- The latest JAMB cut off mark for 2026/2027
- Minimum scores for universities, polytechnics, and colleges
- Why many old articles showing 180 as the national cut off mark are outdated
- What score you should realistically aim for to get admission in Nigeria.
What is the JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027?
As of now, JAMB has not officially announced the 2026/2027 admission benchmark.
However, the latest national minimum scores released by JAMB during the most recent policy meeting are:
| Institution Type | JAMB Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 140 |
| Polytechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of Education | 100 |
| Colleges of Agriculture | 100 |
| Monotechnics | 100 |
| Innovation Enterprise Institutions | 100 |
This means no university in Nigeria is allowed to admit a candidate below 150, while polytechnics and colleges cannot go below 100.
Once the 2026/2027 policy meeting holds, JAMB may either maintain or adjust these numbers.
Important: JAMB Cut Off Mark Is Not the Same as School Cut Off Mark
Many candidates misunderstand how admission works.
The JAMB benchmark is only the minimum allowed score.
Each institution still has the power to set its own admission cut off mark, depending on:
- number of applicants
- competitiveness of the course
- available admission quota
- departmental requirements.
For example:
- A university may accept 150 as the minimum, but still require 200+ for competitive courses.
- Courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Computer Science usually require higher scores.
So even if the national benchmark is 150, candidates should aim for 200 or more to increase their chances.
Why the Old “180 JAMB Cut Off Mark” Information Is Outdated
Many websites still claim that 180 is the general cut off mark for Nigerian universities.
That information was correct many years ago, but the system has changed.
JAMB now allows institutions to decide their own admission benchmarks, as long as they do not go below the national minimum agreed at the policy meeting.
That is why modern admission updates focus on:
- JAMB national benchmark
- individual school cut off marks
- departmental cut off marks
instead of using one fixed number for all schools.
Examples of Typical University Cut Off Marks in Nigeria
Although the national benchmark is 150, many popular universities usually set higher scores.
Examples include:
| University | Typical Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| University of Lagos (UNILAG) | 200+ |
| University of Ibadan (UI) | 200+ |
| Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | 200+ |
| University of Benin (UNIBEN) | 200+ |
| University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | 180+ |
| Lagos State University (LASU) | 180+ |
| Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) | 160+ |
Note that these numbers may change every admission year depending on the institution.
Recommended UTME Score for Safe Admission
To increase your chances of admission, aim for:
| Course Type | Safe UTME Score |
|---|---|
| Medicine / Pharmacy | 250+ |
| Law | 240+ |
| Engineering | 220+ |
| Computer Science | 220+ |
| Nursing | 230+ |
| Social Sciences | 200+ |
| Education Courses | 170+ |
The higher your UTME score, the better your chances during Post-UTME screening and admission ranking.
What Happens After You Meet the JAMB Cut Off Mark?
Meeting the JAMB benchmark does not guarantee admission.
Candidates must still:
- Choose the institution as first choice in JAMB
- Meet the O’Level subject requirements
- Participate in the school’s screening or Post-UTME
- Upload results on JAMB CAPS
- Accept admission on the JAMB portal
Only candidates who pass all these stages will eventually be offered admission.
JAMB Admission Age Requirement
JAMB has also introduced a minimum age requirement for admission.
Candidates must be at least 16 years old before they can be admitted into any Nigerian tertiary institution.
Students below this age may need to wait until they reach the approved age before admission can be finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official JAMB cut off mark for 2026/2027?
JAMB has not yet released the official 2026/2027 benchmark. The latest available national minimum score is 150 for universities, 140 for colleges of nursing, and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
Can I gain admission with 150 in JAMB?
Yes, it is possible in some universities and courses, especially education programmes and less competitive schools. However, higher scores significantly improve your chances.
Is 180 still the cut off mark for universities?
No. The old nationwide 180 cut off mark is outdated. JAMB now allows institutions to set their own cut off marks above the national benchmark.
Can a university set cut off mark above 200?
Yes. Many universities set 200 or higher for competitive courses.
Final Update on JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
To summarise, the 2026/2027 JAMB cut off mark has not yet been officially announced.
But based on the latest national benchmark released by JAMB:
- Universities: 150
- Colleges of Nursing: 140
- Polytechnics: 100
- Colleges of Education: 100
Candidates should aim well above the minimum score to improve their chances of getting admission.
I can not see jamb cut off mark for federal university of technology, minna on the list of jamb new released cut off mark for 2017
FUTMinna Cut off will surely be updated once we have it. You can always check back. Thanks
plss i got l88 in can. I b admitted to uniport to study biochem
Well, it depends if UNIPORT will be conducting Post-UTME, then you’ll be eligible for screening and if they don’t, the cut-off mark for the course will be specified
I scored 188 in jamb ,can I be Admitted in mouau to study computer engineering.
Since 180 is the general cut-off mark, you can only wait for announcement if Michael Okpara University of Agriculture will conduct further screening or give cut-off marks for respective courses. But if POST UTME will to be conducted, you’re certainly eligible.
pls sir i want to know if there is going to be post utme this year pls cos I am hearing it is possible and I don’t know if it is a rumor or a real information?????
As announced by JAMB, there shouldn’t be Post UTME but some universities will still want to conduct their own post screening exercise. So it depends.
I Score 207 In Jamb Nd I Want To Study Accounting Pls Can I Get Admission In Eksu Nd Fuoye
You’re good to go. Just keep up with updates from those schools
I got 151 in jamb can I be I want to study public administration can I get admission in fed poly idah
i havent see my result pls help me to check it sir
I’m sorry i’m don’t have the capacity to do that. If your result has not been released up till now, definitely something has gone wrong. You can send a complaint mail with your registered email to JAMB support, perhaps they could do something. Nevertheless, JAMB has vowed not to release some results, hopefully if that is not your case. See details here >> http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/232142-utme-2017-why-some-jamb-candidates-wont-get-their-results-registrar-ishaq-oloyede.html
I scored 162 can I be admitted to federal poly bida…..and I want to study computer science….
Can a person who scored 211 in 2017 UTME study medicine and surgery in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka?
i scored 164,nd i want to study biological sciences at unn.hw possible can it be
good afternoon sir, i got 191 can i be able to secure admission in bayero university kano, to study sociology, pleas guide me through
please i scored 182 in my jamb can I be given admission to university of Ibadan to study biochemistry
You won’t be given admission because your jamb total score is not up to 200.Uniibadan cut off mark start from 200 above. You can rather do the changing of institution.
Pls i scored 178 can i be admitted to unn to study biochem
Hello, pls i scroced 195 can i be admitted to study business education at unn affiliated to yabatech.
sir I score 162 and I want to admission at kwara poly and my course is business admin
i scored 168 and i want to study buss admin in fuoye is this possible
I score jamb up to 184 will it be possible of admitting in Benue state university
I score 152, can i be admitted into AOCOED to study business education
I score 158 can I get admission for ofefe
What is the jamb cut off mark of Federal college of education obudu,cross river
I score jamb 162 can I gain admission in to federal college of education obudu in cross river
i scored 164 can i get admission to Idaho poly in business administration?
sir i scored 196 can i be admitted for mechanical engineering in uni illorin
Lord show me favour on my jamb to have a better cutt up point 150 and above Amen.
I score 176 can i get admition to federal University birnin Kebbi or IBB Lafai Minna Niger State?
I score 190 and I want to study bio/chem. will I get admission at unilorin?
i scored 160 can i still study in yabatech
Pls I Score 167 In My Jamb,i Gain Admission Into Kwarapoly
I Got 163 Can I get Admission To Poly Ibadan To Study Agric.Eng And Technology
i scored 153 in my jamb exam and I want to study masscommunication in federal polytechnic offa pls what is my chance to study it
my jamb score is 175 how can I get admi for nasarawa state university Keffi
I score 194 in jamb can I study accounting in uniuyo
Good day sir, plz sir i score 177 in jamb, will i gain admission in nursing at unical.
I score 170 in jamb,will I get admission at fed,poly uwana afikpo ebonyi.
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I scored 176 can i got admission to ebsu
if u ar lucky
I had 175 in my jamb wil i got admission in uniuyo in d department of biology Education
i score 167,sir cn i be admitted to kogi university
I score 160 I want to study mass communication will it go
i scored 186 can i be admitted to tai solarin univerisity of education
Helo please my scored in jamb is 143,can got adimissiom unimid of maiduguri
hello plz i scored 212 in jamb can i gain admission at RSUST 2 study law