The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently unveiled the official cut-off marks for university, polytechnic, and college of education admissions for the upcoming 2023/2024 academic year. These cut-off scores, arrived at through a collaborative voting process involving key educational stakeholders, aim to standardize admission requirements and ensure a baseline for academic performance.
1. Overview of JAMB Cut-off Marks:
The JAMB-mandated cut-off marks for the 2023/2024 academic session are as follows:
- Universities: 160
- Polytechnics: 120
- Colleges of Education: 100
2. Decision-Making Process:
The determination of these cut-off marks involved a democratic voting process among vice-chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics, and provosts of colleges of education. This collaborative effort emphasizes the importance of consensus in establishing admission standards.
3. Institution Autonomy vs. Minimum Standards:
While educational institutions retain the autonomy to set their own cut-off marks, it is mandatory for them to adhere to the agreed minimums. No institution is permitted to set a cut-off mark lower than the approved standards, ensuring a level playing field for all applicants.
4. University-specific Cut-off Marks:
To provide detailed information, a list of cut-off marks for specific universities is being compiled. Interested individuals can check the corresponding links for their institutions of choice.
Example institutions and their cut-off marks include:
- Ebonyi State University – EBSU Cut Off Mark
- Yaba College of Technology – Yabatech Cut Off Mark
- Caritas University – Caritas Cut Off Mark
- Institute of Management and Technology – IMT Enugu Cut Off Mark
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University – FUNAI Cut Off Mark
- Bayero University Kano – BUK Cut Off Mark
- Federal University of Technology, Minna – FUTMINNA Cut Off Mark
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri – FUTO Cut Off Mark
- Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma – AAU Cut Off Mark
- Kogi State University – KSU Cut Off Mark
- Abia State University – ABSU Cut off Mark
- Enugu State University of Science and Technology – ESUT Cut off Mark
- University of Nigeria Nsukka – UNN Cut Off Mark
5. Criticisms and Reflections:
The JAMB cut-off marks, though designed to regulate admissions and maintain academic standards, have faced criticism. Some stakeholders argue that these standardized scores may not be reflective of a candidate’s true abilities, raising concerns about the uniformity across different universities and courses.
FAQs about the JAMB cut-off marks for the 2025/2026 academic session:
What is the general JAMB cut-off mark for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in 2025/2026?
For the 2025/2026 session, JAMB has set the following minimum UTME cut-off marks:
Universities: 140 (most widely reported)
Polytechnics: 100
Colleges of Education: 100
Some sources suggest universities may require 150, but the majority consensus remains at 140 for university admissions.
Does meeting the JAMB cut-off mark guarantee admission?
No—meeting the cut-off only qualifies you for the next stage, like post-UTME screening; it does not guarantee admission. Real offers depend on individual institution requirements like quota, departmental cut-off, aggregate scores, and post-UTME performance.
Are there higher cut-off marks for specific schools or courses?
Yes—many institutions set significantly higher departmental or course-specific cut-off marks. Examples:
UNILAG (University of Lagos): General courses 180–200; Medicine & Surgery 250+
UNN (University of Nigeria Nsukka): General courses 180; Medicine and Law 230–250
ABU (Ahmadu Bello University), OAU (Obafemi Awolowo University), UNILORIN: General ranges 180–200
This means aiming above the general cut-off increases your chances, especially for competitive courses.
Is there any official variation in the cut-off mark across institution types (federal, state, private)?
While most sources unify the general university cut-off at 140, some recent articles indicate:
Federal, State, and Private universities: 150
Polytechnics: 100
Colleges of Nursing: 140
Colleges of Education: 100
This indicates potential slight shifts or varying interpretations; however, the most widespread and verified standard remains 140 for universities.
Who sets the departmental cut-off marks, and how do they differ from JAMB’s?
Departmental cut-offs are determined by individual institutions, not JAMB. These are influenced by course capacity, demand, and academic competitiveness. Institutions may publish these during post-UTME screenings, and they are usually higher than the baseline JAMB cut-off.
Conclusion
JAMB’s announcement of official cut-off marks for the 2023/2024 admissions sets the stage for the upcoming academic year. As these cut-off marks continue to be a topic of discussion among students, parents, and educators, it remains essential to monitor updates and be aware of any changes or additional information provided by educational institutions. The ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the cut-off marks underscore the importance of ongoing dialogue to ensure fair and transparent admission processes.
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