JAMB Pegs Admission Cut-Off at 150 for Universities, 100 for Polytechnics, With 16 Years Minimum Age for University Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has set the cut-off mark for admission into universities for the 2026/27 academic session at one hundred and fifty. The cut-off mark for Nursing Colleges is pegged at 140 (one hundred and forty), while that of polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of agriculture, colleges of education is set at 100 (one hundred). Similarly; sixteen years has been retained as the minimum age for the admission of students into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The Minister of Education, TUNJI ALAUSA, made the announcement during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions for Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja. ALAUSA said the decision followed extensive consultations and policy reviews involving key education stakeholders. He said the policy was designed to strike a balance between academic readiness and inclusivity in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The Education Minister said while government recognises the existence of exceptionally gifted candidates who may meet academic requirements earlier than the stipulated age, such cases would be handled under strict guidelines. He further charged tertiary institutions to strictly adhere to the approved admission procedures under the Central Admissions Processing System of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, warning that any violations would attract severe sanctions. TUNJI ALAUSA noted that institutions that operate parallel admission processes would no longer be recognised by the federal government, stressing that the integrity of the admissions system was central to restoring trust in Nigeria’s tertiary education framework.