JAMB Sets 150 as 2025 University Admission Cut-off, Bars Candidates Under 16

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in collaboration with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector, has pegged the minimum cut-off score for 2025 university admissions at 150, while also reaffirming 16 years as the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions.

This resolution emerged from JAMB’s annual policy meeting on admissions held in Abuja on Tuesday. Polytechnics and colleges of education will maintain a cut-off score of 100, while nursing colleges are expected to adopt a benchmark of 140.

Although institutions are allowed to set their own higher cut-off marks, none may go below the national minimum established at the meeting.

Last year’s cut-off for universities stood at 140, making this year’s increase a notable change. Despite suggestions from the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to raise the bar to at least 160, most institutional heads resisted, ultimately agreeing on 150 after a round of voting.

During the discussion, some vice-chancellors, including those from Michael Lawrence University and Lighthouse University, proposed lower scores of 140 and 130, respectively. However, a minority, like the VC of Olabisi Onabanjo University, supported the 160 proposal.

Prof. Oloyede emphasized that institutions proposing lower scores must now adjust to the new minimum, warning that compliance is mandatory.

FG Declares 16 as Minimum Admission Age
At the same event, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reiterated the Federal Government’s stance on admission age, confirming 16 years as the official and non-negotiable minimum for entry into tertiary institutions.

He stated that any admission conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) would be considered null and void.

“We have formally adopted 16 as the minimum age for tertiary education admissions in Nigeria, reduced from the earlier planned 18,” Alausa announced.

He explained that the policy aims to strike a balance between academic ability and cognitive maturity, and that while the age rule would be strictly enforced, limited exceptions could be made for exceptional cases, such as highly gifted children or those with accelerated academic advancement—provided proper documentation is presented.

Alausa also cautioned institutions against any attempts to falsify or manipulate age records to circumvent the rule.