Nigerian public tertiary institutions have announced new unified admission guidelines, including a minimum cut-off mark of 150 for university admissions and also agreed to the government mandate of 16 years as the compulsory minimum age for entry into higher education.
The decisions were unveiled during the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting on admissions held in Abuja, and attended by key education stakeholders including the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
Revised Admission Benchmarks
JAMB officially raised the minimum cut-off score for universities from 140 to 150, while setting 140 for Colleges of Nursing, and maintaining 100 for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. These changes aim to “prioritise merit, equity, and national development,” according to the Ministry of Education.
However, many university administrators expressed displeasure, arguing that this move infringes on their autonomy, especially since prior policy frameworks had allowed individual institutions to set their own cut-off marks through their Senates and Academic Boards.
Despite protests from vice-chancellors who sought to retain last year’s 140 benchmark, the federal government insisted on the new cut-off, citing declining performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the need to “cleanse the education system.”
Mandatory 16-Year Admission Age
Dr Alausa also reaffirmed that 16 years remains the non-negotiable entry age for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Any attempt to circumvent this requirement by manipulating age documents, he warned, would attract strict sanctions, including possible legal action.
“Only candidates who have attained the age of 16 by the time of admission are eligible, unless clearly justified under special categories such as gifted children,” he said.
In addition, all admissions must be conducted strictly through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). Any admission outside this system is deemed illegal, and erring institutions or officials will face sanctions.
Top Universities and Rising Demand
At the meeting, JAMB listed the Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG), and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) as the top three most preferred institutions by applicants for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Other universities in the top 10 include:
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University, Lafia (FULafia)
Stakeholders Weigh In
The announcement sparked mixed reactions across the education sector. Prof. Samuel Nzotta, Vice Chancellor of Amadens University, said the reduced cut-off was a reflection of the poor performance in the recent UTME. Raising it further, he argued, would disenfranchise thousands of applicants.
Conversely, Okezie Aloy, Rector of Abia College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, lamented the continued lowering of academic standards. “A 150 cut-off means a candidate scored below 50% in each subject. That is not encouraging,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Prof. Philemon Amanze of Babcock University welcomed the move, saying it would expand access to tertiary education, while institutions retain the right to set higher internal benchmarks.
JAMB Flags Top Candidates, Malpractice Cases
In a related development, JAMB Registrar Prof. Oloyede raised concerns over possible foul play involving Chinedu Okeke, the highest scorer in the 2025 UTME with 375 points. Investigations revealed that Okeke is already a registered Medicine student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and may have attempted to re-enter the system under questionable circumstances.
JAMB’s Public Communications Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the candidate’s dual record and questioned the legitimacy of his application. “It’s a violation of matriculation law. We suspect examination mercenary behaviour,” he said.
Other top scorers include:
- John Ayuba (Gombe) – 374
- Olayinka Jimoh (Kwara) – 373
- Ayibo Roberts (Rivers) – 373
- Chibueze Omonugbo (Enugu) – 373
- Tunmise Olawepo (Kwara) – 373
- Leslie Afinotan (Delta) – 373
- Chukwuemeka Azoyenime (Delta) – 372
- Emmanuel Oyebode (Ogun) – 372
- Cecil Omigie (Edo) – 372
Crackdown on Exam Malpractice
JAMB also revealed a disturbing trend of biometric fraud, with 19 CBT centres across the country implicated in impersonation and fingerprint malpractices. Anambra and Imo states topped the list, followed by centres in Abia, Kano, Edo, and Delta.
To combat the rising tide of examination malpractice, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the formation of a Central Examination Malpractice Unit, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan. This national clearinghouse will track offenders and ensure prosecution under the Exam Malpractices Act.
For information on Press Releases, Photos, Promotional Events and Adverts, Please message us on WhatsApp via (+234) 09052129258, 08124662170 or send an email to: info@educeleb.com.
