The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB approves new cut-off mark for 2025 admissions on Monday after convening a crucial meeting with the heads of all tertiary institutions across Nigeria to determine the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS), commonly referred to as the ‘cut-off mark,’ for the 2025 admission exercise.
The annual JAMB Admission Policy meeting brings together heads of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education—both public and private—to agree on a benchmark score for admissions based on the outcomes of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This process plays a pivotal role in standardizing admission criteria nationwide.
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The UTME, a Computer-Based Test (CBT), is a mandatory requirement for candidates seeking entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The exam tests candidates in four subjects, with a maximum obtainable score of 400—each subject carrying 100 points.
Setting Cut-Off Points
Each institution typically proposes its own preferred cut-off marks based on its admission policies and program competitiveness. Some top-tier universities set their cut-off as high as 200, while others, particularly new or less competitive institutions, may accept scores as low as 100 or 120. Despite these individual preferences, all institutions must agree to a national minimum score at the policy meeting, which serves as the baseline for all admissions.
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In 2024, the agreed NTMUS was set at 140 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. Institutions are required to meet or exceed this minimum; any school setting a lower cut-off would have to adjust upward to comply.
How the Decision is Made
Before the meeting, each institution submits its preferred cut-off marks to JAMB. During the session, representatives vote to determine the national minimum. Once agreed, no institution is allowed to admit students below this threshold.
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Last year’s meeting saw a significant debate on age requirements. The then Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, initially mandated that candidates under 18 should not be admitted. However, following objections from institutional heads, the decision was modified to allow 16-year-olds to be admitted for the 2024 academic session, with a future plan to raise the age limit to 18. This policy was later overturned after Prof. Mamman left office in October 2024. His successor, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reinstated 16 as the minimum admission age, which remains in effect.
Ongoing Debates
The centralized admissions model, administered through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that tertiary institutions should have full autonomy to conduct entrance examinations and set their own admission guidelines. However, JAMB maintains that it does not interfere with institutions’ admission decisions.
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JAMB explains that each institution has direct administrative access to CAPS, allowing them to rank and select applicants based on their O’level results, UTME scores, Post-UTME performance, and other institution-specific criteria. During last year’s policy meeting, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, emphasized that CAPS ensures merit-based admissions by prioritizing highly qualified applicants, thereby eliminating bias and favoritism.
The outcome of Monday’s meeting is highly anticipated as it will set the tone for the 2025 admission cycle, impacting thousands of prospective students nationwide.
JAMB is expected to release the full breakdown of cut-off marks and institutional admission guidelines shortly before the commencement of the main UTME, which is set to begin on April 25, 2025.
Until then, candidates and school admission officers are advised to monitor JAMB’s official channels and prepare accordingly.
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