JAMB to Hold 2026 Admission Policy Meeting | Cut-Off Marks to Be Decided

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to host its 2026 Admission Policy Meeting, where education stakeholders will determine the minimum admission benchmarks — including minimum UTME cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 academic session across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

This policy meeting is an annual requirement involving the Board, the National Universities Commission (NUC), representatives of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other education stakeholders. It helps define the baseline standards for entry into Nigerian higher institutions for the coming admission year.

The outcome typically includes:

• National minimum UTME cut-off scores for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education

• Admissions guidelines to guide institutions and candidates

• Agenda items that support admissions fairness and quality

Such meetings have historically set national admission benchmarks and other key policies with participation from heads of tertiary institutions and regulatory bodies.

Background: How Cut-Off Marks Were Set Previously

At the 2025 JAMB Admission Policy Meeting, stakeholders agreed to the following minimum UTME scores for the 2025/2026 admission cycle:

• 150 for universities

• 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education

• 140 for colleges of nursing sciences

These scores served as national minimum benchmarks; institutions were permitted to set higher cut-off marks for competitive programmes but could not go below these thresholds.

The meeting also saw the Federal Government endorse a minimum admission age of 16 for tertiary education.

What to Expect at the 2026 Policy Meeting

The upcoming 2026 Admission Policy Meeting will likely address:

1. Updated minimum UTME cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 cycle

2. Admission protocols and quality assurance standards

3. Possible adjustments based on trends in UTME performance and enrolment needs

4. Guidance on how institutions may apply the benchmarks during admissions

While the exact figures for the 2026/2027 minimum cut-off marks have not yet been officially announced, some unofficial sources indicate possible baseline benchmarks, which include:

• 140 and above for universities

• 100 and above for polytechnics

• 100 and above for colleges of education

However, these figures are unconfirmed until JAMB makes an official release following the policy meeting.

Why the Policy Meeting Matters

The JAMB Admission Policy Meeting is crucial because:

• It sets national benchmarks for admissions eligibility

• It ensures fairness and standardisation across all admission exercises

• It guides how universities and other institutions design their screening processes

• It influences thousands of UTME candidates planning to secure admission

What Candidates Should Do Now

While awaiting the 2026 meeting outcomes:

✔️ Prepare for admissions based on previous benchmarks (e.g., 140+ for universities)
✔️ Monitor official JAMB announcements after the policy meeting
✔️ Check the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for updates once results and policies are out

Related Article: Madonna University, Okija Admission 2026: Here’s How to Apply!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the JAMB Admission Policy Meeting?

It is an annual forum where JAMB and education stakeholders decide on admission policies and minimum UTME cut-off marks for the coming academic session.

When will the 2026 Admission Policy Meeting decide cut-off marks?

The exact date hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the meeting is expected to take place well before the main admission season starts.

What were the previous cut-off marks?

For the 2025/2026 session, stakeholders fixed:

• 150 for universities

• 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education

• 140 for colleges of nursing sciences

Will the 2026 cut-off marks be higher than the last session?

Official confirmation is still pending. Some unofficial sources suggest a 140 baseline for universities, but candidates should wait for the official JAMB release after the policy meeting.

Can universities set their own cut-off marks above the national benchmark?

Yes. Institutions may set their own higher cut-off marks (e.g., 160, 180 or 200 for competitive courses), but they cannot admit candidates with scores below the national minimum agreed upon at the policy meeting