The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved new minimum cut-off marks for the 2026 admission exercise, fixing 150 as the benchmark for universities and colleges of nursing, while polytechnics and monotechnics will admit candidates from 100 and above.
The decision was taken on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, where education stakeholders deliberated extensively on admission guidelines for the new academic cycle.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who presided over the meeting, explained that the cut-off marks represent the minimum standard required for admission into tertiary institutions and must be strictly adhered to by all schools.
According to him, the benchmark is designed to maintain uniformity, quality assurance and fairness in the admission process across the country.
The meeting also fixed firm deadlines for the completion of the 2026 admission exercise across all categories of tertiary institutions.
It was agreed that public universities must conclude admissions on or before October 31, 2026, while private universities are expected to complete theirs by November 30, 2026.
Similarly, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education were directed to wrap up admissions by December 31, 2026.
The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, warned that institutions must strictly comply with the approved timelines, stressing that no extension would be granted once deadlines expire.
He stated that institutions that failed to conclude their admission processes within the stipulated period would lose access to candidates for that academic session.
Oloyede also introduced a new rule requiring successful candidates to accept admission offers within four weeks.
He cautioned that failure to accept admission within the timeframe would lead to automatic withdrawal of the offer, adding that affected candidates might become ineligible for further consideration in that session.
According to him, the new policy framework is aimed at ensuring transparency, discipline and timely completion of admission processes nationwide.
“The policy is designed to ensure fairness, accountability and efficiency in the admission system,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting unanimously supported the measures, describing them as necessary reforms to improve the credibility and smooth running of tertiary admissions in Nigeria.
