The lowest cut-off marks for Nigerian universities sit at 150 — JAMB’s 2026 policy floor for universities — and the institutions at that floor are the answer to this question, with one crucial qualification: these are institutional minimums for screening consideration, not departmental cut-offs, and competitive courses at the same institutions require far more. A “lowest cut-off” list that ignores departmental cut-offs is a trap.
This article therefore gives the floor list, the bands above it, and the departmental reality — so the list is usable, not just clickable.
The 2026 bands, from the policy meeting
JAMB’s 2026 policy-meeting figures, as reported, set institutional minimums for admission consideration:
- 220: Pan-Atlantic University (highest reported minimum).
- 200: Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Covenant University, Air Force Institute of Technology.
- 195: Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
- 185: Lagos State University of Education.
- 180: Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), University of Ilorin, and a large number of other universities.
- 170: University of Jos, Babcock University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Applied Sciences.
- 160: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Osun State University, Kwara State University, Modibbo Adama University.
- 150 (the floor): AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Adamawa State University, Adeleke University, African School of Economics — plus the low-end federal and state institutions in the low-scores guide (FUDMA, FUKASHERE, FUNAI, FUOTUOKE, MOUAU, FUTMINNA, FUWUKARI, FUGUS at 150–160; ABSU, AAU, CRUTECH, DELSU, IMSU, KSUSTA, ESUT, EKSU, NSUK, KSU, BSU, EBSU at 150–160).
JAMB’s own framing, as reported, is that these figures are minimum thresholds for admission consideration, and institutions may impose higher requirements for competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy.
Why the floor list is not the whole answer
- Departmental cut-offs decide admission. A university at 150 may admit Education at 150 and Medicine at 250+. If your course is competitive, the institutional floor is irrelevant to your chances — only the departmental cut-off matters, and it is published (or revealed at screening) per department, per session.
- Screening format changes the meaning of the floor. At an exam-format institution, a 150 UTME score plus a strong screening score can produce a competitive aggregate. At a screening-only institution, a 150 UTME score plus weak O’Level grades produces a weak aggregate with no exam to lift it.
- Figures move between sessions. The 2026 bands above are a snapshot. Institutions adjust their minimums at each policy meeting, and a 150 institution this session may set 160 next session. Confirm on the institution’s portal for the session you are applying to.
How to use the lowest cut-off list
- Start from your course, not from the floor. Find your course’s departmental cut-off at each institution you are considering — that is the number that decides your admission.
- Shortlist institutions whose departmental cut-off for your course you meet, with your O’Level grades and screening format factored in.
- Include a floor institution as a safety choice (first-choice rules permitting, and change-of-institution windows respected) — not as your only choice.
- Include a polytechnic or college of education as a second safety tier (floor 100), so a low UTME score does not cost you a year.
Related Guides & Next Steps
- JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Universities Explained
- Universities That Accept Low JAMB Scores
- Universities With High Admission Chances
- How University Admission Works in Nigeria
- 2026/2027 University Admission Guide for Nigerian Students
Frequently asked questions
Which university has the lowest cut-off mark in Nigeria? For universities, the lowest possible is 150 — JAMB’s policy floor. Several institutions set exactly 150 as their minimum for consideration, listed above. No university can go below 150.
Does a 150 cut-off mean I will be admitted with 150? No. It means you may be screened. Admission depends on your departmental cut-off, your screening performance (or O’Level aggregate, for screening-only institutions), and competition for places in that department.
Why do some universities set 200 or 220? Because they can — institutions set their own minimums, and highly competitive institutions set high minimums to manage applicant volume. A high minimum is a competition signal, not a quality ranking.
Do cut-off marks change every year? They can. Institutions set their minimums at each admission policy meeting, so the bands above must be re-verified for each new session.
What about polytechnics and colleges of education? Their JAMB policy floor is 100 — lower than universities — which is why they are a realistic safety tier for low UTME scores.
Sources and last update
- 2026 policy-meeting bands (220/200/195/185/180/170/160/150) from JAMB’s 2026 figures as reported, with JAMB’s minimum-threshold framing preserved.
- Low-end institution lists cross-checked against the low-scores guide’s sources, with session-to-session movement explicitly flagged.
- Departmental-vs-institutional distinction from JAMB’s own framing (higher requirements permitted for competitive courses).
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Guide — review every admission session and on every JAMB policy update. Institution figures must be re-verified for each new session.