By Adesakin Adefemi
The federal government has approved 150 as the minimum admissible score for admission into universities and nursing colleges in Nigeria for the 2026 academic session. The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2026 Admission Policy Meeting, was organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.
The new benchmark applies to both public and private universities nationwide, as well as nursing colleges. According to the minister, the decision is aimed at standardizing admission processes and maintaining quality across tertiary institutions.
Mr. Alausa stated that 150 represents the minimum score required for candidates seeking admission into universities, and no institution would be permitted to admit applicants below the threshold. He emphasized that the policy is designed to uphold academic standards while ensuring fairness in the admission process.
The minister clarified that individual institutions retain the right to set higher cut-off marks based on their admission capacity and the competitiveness of their programs. He noted that this flexibility allows institutions to maintain their standards while operating within the national framework.
The annual policy meeting, convened by JAMB, brings together vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, heads of regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to determine admission guidelines for tertiary institutions. Discussions at the meeting also covered admission quotas, direct entry guidelines, and measures to curb irregularities in the system.
Mr. Alausa said the government remains committed to strengthening standards in higher education while expanding access to qualified candidates. He urged institutions to adhere strictly to admission regulations and ensure transparency throughout the process.
The announcement provides clarity for candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and are awaiting the commencement of admission exercises. Many students and parents had anticipated the release of the national cut-off to guide their application choices.
Stakeholders at the meeting are expected to continue deliberations on other policy issues affecting admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and nursing institutions. The meeting is ongoing in Abuja with representatives from across the education sector in attendance.
The policy decision is expected to shape the 2026 admission cycle and influence how institutions manage their admission lists in the coming months.
