JAMB 2025 Cut-Off Marks Announced: Universities 150, Polytechnics 100, Nursing 140 - Official Requirements

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the minimum cut-off marks for 2025 admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions. These baseline scores were revealed by JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede at the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting held in Abuja.

Official JAMB Cut-Off Marks for 2025

By Institution Type

What These Cut-Off Marks Mean

Baseline Requirements Only

These figures represent the minimum JAMB scores required to be eligible for admission consideration. They are baseline thresholds, not guarantees of admission.

Institutions Can Set Higher Cut-Offs

According to JAMB policy:

• Institutions are free to set cut-off marks ABOVE the JAMB minimum
• Institutions CANNOT set cut-offs BELOW the JAMB minimum
• Competitive universities typically set much higher institutional cut-offs (170-200+)
• Course-specific cut-offs may vary within the same institution

Age Requirement Reaffirmed

The 2025 Policy Meeting also reaffirmed the minimum age requirement for tertiary institution admission:

Candidates must be at least 16 years old to be admitted into any Nigerian tertiary institution.

What Students Should Do Now

If You Meet the JAMB Minimum

1. Check Institutional Cut-Offs: Research your chosen universities' specific cut-off marks (usually higher than JAMB minimum)
2. Prepare for Post-UTME: Meeting JAMB cut-off only qualifies you for screening - you still need to excel in Post-UTME
3. Register Early: Post-UTME form sales will commence soon across institutions
4. Consider Alternatives: If your score barely meets the minimum, consider less competitive institutions or courses

If You're Below the JAMB Minimum

If your UTME score is below the baseline for your target institution type:

• Universities (below 150): Consider polytechnics (100) or colleges of education (100)
• Nursing (below 140): Explore other health technology programs with lower requirements
• Alternative Pathways: Consider JUPEB, IJMB, or Pre-Degree programs for future admission
• Next Cycle: Register for 2026 JAMB and prepare better

Understanding the Admission Process

Three-Level Screening

Admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions involves three hurdles:

1. JAMB Cut-Off: Must meet national minimum (announced today)
2. Institutional Cut-Off: Must meet university/polytechnic/college minimum (usually higher)
3. Post-UTME Performance: Must perform well in screening exercise

Aggregate Score Calculation

Most institutions combine:

• JAMB UTME score (usually 50% weight)
• Post-UTME score (usually 50% weight)
• O'Level results (bonus points in some cases)

Next Steps in the Admission Calendar

Following this announcement:

1. Public tertiary institutions will soon commence Post-UTME form sales
2. Institutions will announce their specific cut-off marks (above JAMB minimum)
3. Post-UTME screening exercises will be scheduled
4. Admission lists will be released based on aggregate scores

Important Reminders

• Meeting JAMB minimum ≠ automatic admission
• Institutional cut-offs are usually higher than JAMB minimums
• Competitive courses (Medicine, Law, Engineering) require much higher scores
• Your Post-UTME performance matters as much as your JAMB score
• Register for Post-UTME at multiple institutions to increase your chances

Check Your Eligibility

Compare your 2025 UTME score against these baselines:

• 150+: Eligible for universities
• 140-149: Eligible for nursing colleges, polytechnics, colleges of education
• 100-139: Eligible for polytechnics and colleges of education
• Below 100: Consider alternative pathways (JUPEB, IJMB, Pre-Degree) or retake JAMB

These official cut-off marks from JAMB set the foundation for the 2025/2026 admission cycle. Start preparing for Post-UTME screenings and monitor institutional announcements for specific cut-offs and form sale dates.

Source: JAMB 2025 Policy Meeting, announced by Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede