The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has fixed 150 as the minimum admissible score for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026 academic session.
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The decision was reached on Monday at the ongoing 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, attended by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, heads of tertiary institutions and other stakeholders.
According to JAMB, heads of tertiary institutions unanimously agreed that the minimum admissible score for universities should be 150, while colleges of nursing will also use 150. Polytechnics will have a minimum admissible score of 100.
JAMB also announced that the minimum age for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions remains 16 years.
In another major policy shift, the board said candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture non-engineering courses will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME,” JAMB stated in a post on its official X handle.
Speaking at the policy meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, explained that candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme would no longer be required to write UTME if they possess the required qualifications.
According to him, candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes with a minimum of four credit passes will be exempted from UTME.
“Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” Alausa said.
He, however, stressed that such candidates must still register with JAMB.
The minister said their credentials would be screened, verified and certified through the Central Admissions Processing System before admission letters are issued.
“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations,” he said.
Alausa added that the exemption also applies to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
“This exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses,” he stated.
The minister said the policy is aimed at expanding access to tertiary education while maintaining admission standards.
According to him, the new approach will reduce pressure on candidates, encourage more students to enrol in teacher education and agricultural programmes, and support areas considered important to national development.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” Alausa added.
The new policy marks a significant change in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, where UTME has traditionally served as the standard entry examination for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The annual JAMB policy meeting sets admission guidelines for tertiary institutions, including cut-off marks, admission procedures and other regulatory requirements.
With the latest development, candidates seeking admission into education-related programmes and agriculture courses outside engineering disciplines are expected to be considered through JAMB registration, CAPS verification, institutional screening and other approved qualifications.
Aslo, the Lagos State University has emerged as the most preferred university by candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination first-choice applications, according to statistics released at the ongoing policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja on Monday.
This was disclosed through a photograph displayed to journalists and tertiary institutions during the meeting.
LASU recorded 84,426 applications, representing 3.76 per cent of the total number of applications submitted nationwide by candidates.
University of Lagos followed closely with 78,240 applications, while Obafemi Awolowo University ranked third with 60,370 applications.
University of Ibadan placed fourth with 58,895 applications, ahead of University of Benin, which recorded 55,425 applications.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University garnered 54,085 applications to occupy sixth position, while the University of Ilorin came seventh with 52,514 applications.
The University of Nigeria recorded 51,660 applications, while Federal University Oye-Ekiti and University of Port Harcourt completed the top 10 with 48,272 and 48,199 applications respectively.
FULL LIST
1. Lagos State University — 84,426
2. University of Lagos — 78,240
3. Obafemi Awolowo University — 60,370
4. University of Ibadan — 58,895
5. University of Benin — 55,425
6. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 54,085
7. University of Ilorin — 52,514
8. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 51,660
9. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 48,272
10. University of Port Harcourt — 48,199
The statistics also reflected shifts in candidates’ preferences over the years.
LASU, which currently occupies the top spot, was not among the top 10 most preferred universities in some previous years. UNILAG maintained a consistent presence near the top rankings, while institutions such as UNILORIN, OAU, UI and FUOYE also sustained strong positions over multiple admission cycles.
The board further showed that some universities which dominated earlier rankings dropped positions in 2026, highlighting changing admission trends among UTME candidates.
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