Uproar as JAMB Retains 150 Minimum UTME Score for University Admissions, Keeps Entry Age at 16

At its 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja, JAMB announced that the minimum admissible score for university admissions remains 150, the same benchmark used in previous admissions cycles.  

Under the new guidelines, Colleges of Nursing Sciences will also admit 150, while polytechnics retain a lower minimum benchmark of 100. Institutions are free to set their own cut-off marks, provided they are not lower than these national minimum thresholds.  

The announcement has triggered a strong debate online. Critics argue that 150 out of 400 is too low for university admission and could weaken academic standards, as it represents just 37%, and that it should count as a failure. At the same time, supporters say it simply creates a broader eligibility pool and does not guarantee admission, since institutions can still set stricter internal cut-off marks. 

In another key decision, the Federal Government reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years. Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the policy balances academic readiness with inclusivity, adding that exceptional underage cases would only be considered under strict guidelines.  

The age rule means that candidates under 16 are generally ineligible for university admission, despite ongoing public debate over whether gifted younger students should be granted broader exceptions.

While JAMB insists the policies are designed to protect the admissions process, the conversation around cut-off marks, merit, and access to tertiary education in Nigeria remains as heated as ever.