The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the 2026 UTME cut off marks for university admissions in Nigeria, setting the tone for this year’s admission process The announcement was made during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja, where various institutions submitted their minimum entry requirements
According to JAMB, these cut off marks represent the minimum UTME scores required for admission consideration, while universities still retain the right to set higher benchmarks for competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering The release has already sparked reactions among candidates preparing for admission into top Nigerian universities
Overview of 2026 JAMB UTME Cut Off Marks
The 2026 admission benchmarks show a clear difference between federal, state, and private universities across Nigeria While some elite institutions maintained high standards, others set more flexible entry points to accommodate wider admission opportunities
JAMB also clarified that these figures are only baseline requirements and do not guarantee admission into preferred courses
Top Nigerian Universities With Highest Cut Off Marks
Several top ranking universities maintained a competitive minimum score of 200 and above, reinforcing their high admission standards
Universities with 200 Cut Off Mark
Some of the most popular institutions in this category include:
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Covenant University
Each of these institutions remains highly competitive, especially for professional courses
Lagos State Universities Set Their Benchmarks
In Lagos State, admission requirements vary across institutions:
- Lagos State University (LASU) 195
- Lagos State University of Science and Technology 195
- Lagos State University of Education 185
These variations reflect program competitiveness and institutional policies
Full List of 2026 UTME Cut Off Marks (Selected Institutions)
Here is the breakdown of approved cut off marks across Nigerian universities:
220 Cut Off Mark
- Pan Atlantic University
200 Cut Off Mark
- Air Force Institute of Technology
- Covenant University
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- University of Ibadan
- University of Lagos
- University of Nigeria
- University of Benin
195 Cut Off Mark
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Lagos State University of Science and Technology
180 Cut Off Mark
- Ahmadu Bello University
- Afe Babalola University
- University of Abuja
- University of Ilorin
- Nigeria Police Academy
170 Cut Off Mark
- University of Jos
- Babcock University
- Nasarawa State University
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
160 Cut Off Mark (Most Federal & State Universities)
Includes:
- Bayero University Kano
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University
- Kwara State University
- Olabisi Onabanjo University
- Imo State University
- Modibbo Adama University
150 Cut Off Mark
- Adamawa State University
- Adeleke University
- African School of Economics
ESUT JAMB Cut Off Mark (Official & Expected Breakdown)
ESUT JAMB Cut Off Mark (Enugu State University of Science and Technology)
General Cut Off Mark
- 160
This is the minimum UTME score required to apply for admission into ESUT
Departmental / Competitive Courses
Some faculties require higher scores depending on competition:
Medicine, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy
200 to 240+
Engineering & Science Courses
180 to 220
Management & Social Sciences
160 to 180
General Courses
160 and above
Important Note
Even if you meet 160, admission is not guaranteed ESUT may:
Increase cut off for competitive courses
Consider Post UTME score
What JAMB Said About the Cut Off Marks
JAMB emphasized that these cut off marks are not final guarantees of admission Institutions may increase requirements for highly competitive programs such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering depending on applicant volume and departmental capacity
This means candidates must not only meet the general cut off but also aim higher to improve their chances
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