ABUJA, NG — July 9, 2025 | IDNN Education Desk
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved a new minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off score of 150 for university admissions, while enforcing a strict age limit that bars candidates under 16 years from gaining entry into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The landmark decisions were made during the annual JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions, held Tuesday in Abuja. The meeting brought together vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and government officials to decide national benchmarks for the 2025/2026 academic session.
“No institution is allowed to admit students scoring below the agreed national minimum,” JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said, reaffirming that institutions may set higher cut-offs but cannot go below the new thresholds.
🎓 Final Cut-Offs for 2025 Admissions:
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Universities – 150
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Polytechnics & Colleges of Education – 100
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Colleges of Nursing – 140
This marks a rise from last year’s university benchmark of 140, showing a policy shift aimed at raising entry standards despite resistance from some institutional heads.
“We proposed 160, but the majority of institutions voted for 150,” said Prof. Oloyede, adding that schools must now adjust their internal admission processes to comply.
Under-16s Now Barred
In what may spark a national debate, the Federal Ministry of Education has now officially pegged 16 years as the non-negotiable minimum age for tertiary admissions.
“The issue of age has generated much debate,” said Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa. “But our position is clear: candidates must be at least 16 years of age by the time of admission.”
He added that the policy, which was initially set at 18 years, had now been revised downward to 16 following extensive stakeholder consultations — but remains strictly binding.
“Any admission conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) or that violates this age policy will be declared invalid,” Alausa warned.
🧠 Age Rule to Balance Maturity and Academic Readiness
The education ministry cited the need to balance academic performance with cognitive maturity, arguing that admitting much younger students often leads to adjustment problems and poor retention.
Exceptions may be made in documented, exceptional cases, such as gifted children with verifiable academic acceleration — but institutions must submit justification for each case.
“We will not accept manipulated records or falsified age documentation,” Alausa added.
⚖️ Voting Breakdown
According to voting data from the meeting:
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Michael Lawrence University proposed 140
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Lighthouse University wanted 130
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Olabisi Onabanjo University voted for 160
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University of Port Harcourt pushed for 150
In the end, 150 emerged as the consensus, reflecting a middle ground between access and quality.
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