New rules are in for the 2025/2026 university admissions in Nigeria. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other education heads have set the new minimum cut-off mark for universities at 150. In the same meeting, the Federal Government locked in 16 as the official minimum age for any student entering a tertiary institution.
For students and parents navigating the upcoming admission season, these changes are significant. With over a decade of tracking Nigeria’s education space, I’ll break down what these new rules from JAMB mean for you and the bigger picture of higher education in the country.
A New Chapter in Admissions
At the annual policy meeting in Abuja, university vice-chancellors, polytechnic rectors, and heads of education colleges gathered to set the stage for the next student intake. Their decisions will directly impact millions of hopefuls across Nigeria.
The Official Cut-Off Marks
After voting and discussion, the board announced the new minimum scores:
- Universities: 150
- Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: 100
- Colleges of Nursing: 140
Just remember, these are the absolute minimums. Don’t expect to get into a competitive course like Medicine, Law, or Engineering with a 150. Top universities will always set their own bars much higher based on demand.
The move to raise the university benchmark from 140 last year to 150 is a deliberate push to improve the quality of students being admitted. While JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pushed for 160, the final agreement landed on 150, striking a balance between higher standards and student access.
The Age Rule Is Now Firm at 16
The Federal Government also put its foot down on the long-debated issue of admission age. The official, non-negotiable age for entering any tertiary institution is now 16.
“The entry age for admission into tertiary institutions is now officially pegged at 16 years,” Dr. Alausa confirmed, explaining the decision is about ensuring students are mature enough for the demands of higher learning, not just academically ready.
This rule will be enforced strictly through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Any admission granted to an underage student outside this system will be considered illegal. The government did note that rare exceptions can be made for exceptionally gifted children, but this would require extensive proof of accelerated academic progress.
What You Need to Do as a Candidate
With these new policies in place, here’s how to approach your admission process:
- Know Your Score First: Your journey starts with your UTME score. The first thing you should do is check your result using this simple guide on how to check your JAMB result for 2025. Your score determines everything that comes next.
- Choose Your Institution Wisely: Once you have your score, research the specific admission cut-offs for your desired schools and courses. They will almost certainly be higher than the national minimums.
- Don’t Forget the Age Rule: Make sure you will be 16 by the time of admission. Any issues with your registered age could get you disqualified.
- Prepare for Post-UTME: Clearing the JAMB cut-off is just the first hurdle. Your performance in the Post-UTME screening held by your chosen institution is critical.
- Only Trust CAPS for Admission: Your admission is only official if it comes through the JAMB CAPS portal. Ignore any admission offer that comes through other channels.
The Road Ahead
Ultimately, these new rules—a higher cut-off and a strict age limit—are part of a larger push to strengthen Nigeria’s education system. The goal is to ensure students entering our universities are truly ready for the challenge. For everyone involved in the 2025 admission season, from students to school administrators, following these guidelines will be key to a smooth and transparent process.
