The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in collaboration with key education stakeholders, has officially established the minimum cut-off marks for the 2026 academic session. The decision was finalized on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions, chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
New Admission Benchmarks and Deadlines
The stakeholders agreed upon the following minimum scores for tertiary institution admissions:
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Universities: 150
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Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 150
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Polytechnics and Monotechnics: 100
To ensure a structured academic calendar, the Board also ratified the following admission deadlines:
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Public Universities: October 31, 2026
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Private Universities: November 30, 2026
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Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Colleges of Education: December 31, 2026
Policy Reform: UTME Exemption for NCE and Specific ND Programs
In a significant shift aimed at boosting enrollment in essential sectors, Dr. Alausa announced that candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programs will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), provided they possess a minimum of four credit passes.
This exemption also extends to National Diploma (ND) programs in non-technology agricultural fields. While the entrance exam requirement has been waived to reduce academic pressure and encourage teacher education, the Minister clarified that eligible candidates must still register with JAMB for screening and verification via the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) to receive official admission letters.
"This approach strikes a balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of the admission process," Dr. Alausa stated, noting the policy's importance for national development.
LASU Emerges as Nigeria’s Most Preferred University
For the second consecutive year, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has secured its position as the most sought-after institution in the country. Data released by JAMB shows LASU leading the national subscription table with 84,326 first-choice applications.
The university outpaced several prominent federal institutions, including:
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Lagos State University (LASU): 84,326 applicants
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University of Lagos (UNILAG): 78,240 applicants
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Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU): 60,370 applicants
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, attributed this sustained growth—rising from outside the top ten in 2022 to the number one spot in 2025 and 2026—to strategic investments in research, infrastructure, and digital innovation.
Registrar’s Final Charge
The 2026 Policy Meeting marked the final session presided over by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose second tenure concludes in August 2026.
In his closing remarks, Professor Oloyede urged the heads of tertiary institutions to maintain the highest standards of transparency and meritocracy. He issued a stern warning against "irregular admissions," emphasizing that the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system depends on adhering to established regulatory frameworks.