ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s university admissions body has set 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for degree-seeking students for the 2026 academic session, amid a sweep of reforms aimed at boosting teacher and agricultural training.
The decision was reached on Monday during a high-level policy meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and attended by heads of tertiary institutions from across the country.
While universities will maintain the 150-point threshold, polytechnics and monotechnics have fixed their minimum entry requirement at 100. Colleges of nursing sciences will also require a minimum score of 150 for the current cycle.
Major Reforms for NCE and Diploma Students
The minister said it was a “deliberate policy shift” and declared that candidates seeking admission to study for the Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, would not be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
The waiver also applies to students seeking National Diplomas in non-technology agricultural courses. To qualify, candidates must possess at least four credit passes in their school-leaving certificates.
“This approach strikes a balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of the admission process,” Dr Alausa said. He added that the move is intended to “reduce the pressure” of national exams and encourage more young Nigerians to enter professions critical to national development.
Despite the exam waiver, eligible candidates must still:
- Register with JAMB: To ensure official oversight.
- Undergo Screening: Through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
- Receive Certification: Before formal admission letters are issued.
Deadlines and Timelines
The meeting, which included vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts, also established strict deadlines for the 2026 admission cycle:
- Public Universities: Must conclude admissions by 31 October.
- Private Universities: Given until 30 November.
- Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: Must finish by 31 December.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) emphasised that these deadlines are necessary to harmonise the academic calendar and ensure a smooth start for the new intake of students.
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