The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the approved minimum cut-off marks for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions ahead of the commencement of the 2026/2027 admission exercise in Nigeria.
The development follows extensive deliberations during the annual JAMB policy meeting attended by vice chancellors, rectors, provosts, and major stakeholders within the Nigerian education sector. The approved benchmarks are expected to guide institutions during the admission process while ensuring transparency and uniformity across the country.
According to the approved framework, universities are expected to maintain a minimum benchmark score suitable for degree programmes, while polytechnics and colleges may adopt slightly lower admission thresholds depending on institutional policies and programme competitiveness.
Approved 2026 JAMB Cut-Off Marks
Reports from the policy meeting indicate the following approved admission benchmarks for the 2026 academic session:
- Universities — 150 and above
- Polytechnics — 100 and above
- Colleges of Education — 100 and above
- Colleges of Nursing Sciences — 150 and above
Despite the general benchmarks, candidates should understand that individual institutions reserve the right to implement higher departmental cut-off marks for highly competitive courses.
Competitive Courses Expected to Require Higher Scores
Several professional and science-based programmes are expected to maintain elevated admission requirements due to high application rates and limited admission quotas.
Courses likely to attract higher departmental cut-off marks include:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Nursing Science
- Pharmacy
- Law
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Medical Laboratory Science
Admission experts have advised candidates seeking admission into these programmes to perform strongly in both UTME and Post-UTME screening exercises to improve their chances of securing admission.
Institutions to Release Departmental Requirements Soon
Following JAMB’s approval of the general benchmarks, universities, polytechnics, and colleges are expected to begin releasing their individual departmental cut-off marks and screening guidelines in the coming weeks.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to regularly monitor official school portals and trusted educational platforms for verified updates regarding:
- Post-UTME registration
- Departmental cut-off marks
- Admission screening dates
- O’Level requirements
- Admission lists
Educational analysts also advised candidates with lower UTME scores to consider alternative institutions or less competitive programmes where admission opportunities may be higher.
Final Thoughts
The approval of the 2026 cut-off marks by JAMB marks a significant step toward the commencement of the new admission season across Nigerian tertiary institutions. While the general benchmarks provide national admission guidelines, candidates are advised to remain focused, informed, and proactive throughout the admission process.
For the latest verified updates on JAMB admissions, Post-UTME forms, scholarships, and educational news, stay connected with Edupath Solutions.
