JAMB retains 150 cut-off mark for Nigerian University admissions, scraps UTME requirement for NCE Candidates –Minister

*Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister for Education affirms any candidates seeking admissions into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, restating the minimum age for admissions into tertiary institutions remains 16 years in line with the country’s new admission guidelines

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed it retains 150 as the cut-off mark for admissions into Nigerian Universities for the 2026/27 academic session.

ConsumerConnect reports JAMB announced this development at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions Monday, May 11, 2026, in Abuja, FCT.

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The public examination body said the latest decision followed a vote of Vice-Chancellors Universities present at the meeting.

JAMB (@JAMBHQ) May 11, 2026, in a statement via its verified social media account also said the Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria had unanimously, agreed that the Minimum Admissible Scores for admissions into Universities should be 150, Colleges of Nursing, 150, and Polytechnics, 100.

It further noted Dr. Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister for Education, said the minimum age for admissions into tertiary institutions is 16 years.

Dr. Alausa stated: “Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.

“This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness. “While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines to preserve the integrity of the system as a whole.”

Nigeria scraps UTME requirement for NCE Candidates

In a related development, any candidates seeking admissions into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Dr. Alausa announced this Monday during JAMB’s 2026 policy meeting in Abuja.

The Minister noted that under the country’s new admission guidelines, prospective students will only need a minimum of four O-level Credits in School Certificate to qualify for admissions.

He also said the measure was designed to ease the administrative burden on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and to “harness the positive orientation towards the teaching profession.”

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Alausa explained: “Accordingly, candidates seeking admissions into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four (4) Credit Passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.”

“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations.”

The Minister further noted: “In the same vein, this exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admissions into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.

“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.

“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development.”

Describing the place of digitisation in the Nigerian tertiary institutions’ admission procedures as an immediate necessity, the Minister for Education as well clarified that the adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for examinations is part of efforts at encouraging students to gain practical digital skills to thrive in a modern economy.

Alausa stated: “The global shift towards digitalisation is not a distant prospect; it is an immediate necessity.

“Accordingly, we are advancing the full adoption of computer-based testing across national examinations, while also encouraging institutions to integrate digital competencies, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies into their curricula.”

He declared: “The objective is clear: our graduates must not only possess theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills required to thrive in a modern economy.”

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