Every year, thousands of students across Nigeria sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). After the exams, students eagerly await the release of university cut-off marks to determine their chances of gaining admission into their desired institutions.
Recently, the JOINT ADMISSION AND MATRICULATION BOARD (JAMB) released 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for students who sat for the exam. Cut off marks are the minimum scores candidates must achieve in the UTME to be eligible for admission into universities.
While JAMB sets a general cut-off mark, individual universities have the autonomy to set their own cut-off marks depending on the course competitiveness and institutional capacity.
What Are Cut-Off Marks?
A cut-off mark is the minimum score candidates must achieve in the UTME to be considered for admission into a particular institution. The JAMB minimum Cut-Off Marks for All universities in 2025 is but it’s important to understand that this is only a benchmark.
Individual universities are free to set their own cut-off marks based on capacity, course competitiveness, or when there’s limited admission slots.
Below are the general cut-off marks for 2025:
Federal universities cut-off marks – 140 and above
State Universities cut-off marks – 140 and above
Private Universities cut-off marks – 140 and above
Polytechnic cut-off marks – 100 and above
Colleges of Education – 100 and above
Many institutions, set higher cut-off marks based on past trends and departmental requirements.
List of federal universities and their general cut-off marks for all universities
Out of all universities, federal universities are usually the most sought-after due to their low tuition and reputation. Many of them raise their cut-off marks to manage the number of applicants due to high demand in Nigeria.
List of federal universities and their cut-off marks:
- University of Lagos: 200 and above
- University of Ibadan: 200 and above
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria: 180
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): 180
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU): 200
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): 180
These cut-off mark may differ for competitive courses like Medicine, Nursing, Engineering and Law and candidates often times need to score higher than the general cut-off. Courses like Medicine and Engineering may require a score of 280 and above. Candidates should check the departmental cut-off marks once released by each school.
State Universities and their cut-off marks
State universities usually offers a more flexible admission criteria but still maintain fairly high cut-off marks, especially in urban areas or popular institutions.
List of State Universities and their cut-off marks:
- Lagos State University (LASU): 195
- Rivers State University (RSU): 190
- Delta State University (DELSU): 170
- Ekiti State University (EKSU): 160
- Ebonyi State University (EBSU): 150
Remember that these Cut-Off Marks for All universities may differ for specific courses that have higher requirements. Students are advised to regularly check their school’s official website for department-specific updates.
Private Universities and their cut-off marks
Aiming to provide accommodation a wide range of students, private universities generally have lower cut-off marks, their admission process is also more flexible and they provide easy entry pathways.
List of private universities and their cut-off marks:
- Covenant University: 180
- Babcock University: 170
- Afe Babalola University:180
- Bowen University: 160
- Igbinedion University: 160
Note: These institutions offer additional admission pathways and may consider other factors like O’Level results and interviews.
Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Cut-off Marks
Polytechnics and Colleges of Education usually offers admission to candidates who didn’t meet the universities cut-off marks. So if you are worried about not gaining admission due to a low score, worry not because polytechnics provide alternative.
List of polytechnics and their cut-off marks:
- Akanu-Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Afikpo – 100 and above
- Federal Polytechnic Nekede – 100
- Federal Polytechnic Ilaro – 150
- Adeyemi College Of Education – 150
N/B: Having an ND (National Diploma) or NCE (National Certificate in Education) can still grant you a direct entry into a universities and still lead to a promising career.
Some tips for aspiring students:
. Do Your Research Thoroughly: Each universities have their own cut-off marks so do not always assume rather make your research. Verify the updated cut-offs from reliable sources and keep checking the desired school portal for more information.
. Score above the Line: Meeting the minimum is good, but aiming higher gives you a competitive edge, especially for courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering.
.Prepare for Post-UTME: Scoring well in UTME is just one step. Most universities conduct Post-UTME or screening exercises, and strong performance there can make a big difference.
. Keep Your Options Open: If your score isn’t high enough for your first choice, look into related courses or institutions where your score fits better. Consider polytechnics or colleges of education too.
.Stay Informed: Admission policies and cut-off marks can shift. Stay in the loop by following JAMB updates, university portals, and credible education blogs.
What If I Don’t Meet the university Cut-Off Marks?
If your score wasn’t something you hoped for, there’s no cause for alarm because it is not the end of your academic journey. It could be the beginning of a better path which you haven’t considered.
- Change Your Course or Institution: If your score isn’t high for competitive courses, JAMB offers the option to switch courses related to your previous choice with lower demand. You can change to a university where your score gives a better chance.
- Look into Polytechnics or Colleges of Education: Some polytechnics often have lower cut-off marks, but they offer solid academic programs and skills that are of high value in today’s job markets.
- Don’t Rule Out Private Universities: Private universities often times comes are higher in terms of tuition but their admission process are usually flexible and they provide smaller class sizes, quicker academic calendars and more personalized attention.
- 4. Watch Out for Supplementary Admissions: Some universities release second or third admission lists for less competitive departments. If you’re open to adjusting your course choice slightly, this could be your ticket in.
- Stay Positive and Be Strategic: A lot of successful graduates today didn’t start out where they planned, but they got to where they wanted by staying open, focused, and resilient. Sometimes, the “Plan B” ends up being a better fit than the original plan.
Conclusion: With the constant competition, gaining admission into the universities can be overwhelming but do not let the cut-off marks scare you, rather see them as a guide and not as a barrier. While your JAMB scores matters, it is however, not the only factors most universities consider.
Factors like your Post-UTME performance, O’Level results, and sometimes even your state of origin are being considered when seeking admission. What matters most is finding the path that works for you and staying focused
Keep your eyes on your goal. Admissions are competitive, yes, but with the right strategy and determination, your name can be on that admission list.
