Universities Peg Admission Cut-Off at 150 as FG Eases Entry Into NCE Programmes

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have adopted 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for university admissions for the 2026 academic session.

The resolution was reached at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja on Monday, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside heads of tertiary institutions and regulatory agencies in attendance.

The meeting also approved 100 as the minimum benchmark for admissions into polytechnics and monotechnics, while colleges of nursing sciences will admit candidates with scores of at least 150.

Admission timelines were equally announced. Public universities are to conclude admissions by October 31, 2026, private universities by November 30, while polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education have until December 31, 2026.

In another major development, the Federal Government exempted candidates applying for Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), provided they possess a minimum of four credit passes.

The policy, which takes effect from the 2026/2027 admission cycle, also extends to applicants for National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related disciplines.

Despite the exemption, the Minister explained that candidates must still register with JAMB for screening and admission processing through CAPS.

“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position,” Alausa stated.

“Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.”

He added that the policy would “reduce pressure associated with UTME and encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes critical to national development.”

JAMB also announced that Lagos State University (LASU) retained its status as Nigeria’s most preferred university after attracting 84,326 first-choice applicants in the latest UTME admissions cycle.

The University of Lagos came second with 78,240 applications, while Obafemi Awolowo University recorded 60,370 applications.

Speaking at the event, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, cautioned tertiary institutions against irregular admissions and urged them to uphold merit, fairness, and transparency throughout the admission process.

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