The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially unveiled the baseline Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores that Nigerian universities will use for the 2026 admission cycle. These benchmarks were established during the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions, a key event held in Abuja.
Among all institutions, Pan-Atlantic University stands out with the highest minimum requirement, set at 220. A cluster of prominent universities, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Covenant University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the University of Benin, have collectively adopted a 200-point cutoff. These figures represent the lowest scores candidates must achieve to be considered for admission.
The board emphasized that these cutoffs are the basic thresholds, but individual institutions retain the authority to impose more stringent criteria for programs that are highly competitive, such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, and law. This flexibility allows universities to maintain academic standards for their most sought-after courses.
Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the approved minimum UTME scores for the 2026 academic year: Pan-Atlantic University and Covenant University both require 220, while the Air Force Institute of Technology, Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Abeokuta, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka each demand 200. Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University have set their cutoffs at 195, and Lagos State University of Education follows with 185. A notable group, including Ahmadu Bello University, Afe Babalola University, Federal University of Health Sciences in Ila Orangun, Nigeria Police Academy, Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Shanahan University, University of Abuja (also known as Yakubu Gowon University), and University of Ilorin, all accept 180. Institutions like University of Jos, Augustine University, Babcock University, Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Federal University in Lafia, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nasarawa State University, and BITS University in Bwari have a cutoff of 170. A larger set of universities, including Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Admiralty University of Nigeria, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Ajayi Crowther University, Al-Hikmah University, Bamidele Olumilua University, Bayero University in Kano, Bells University of Technology, Caleb University, Chrisland University, Dominion University, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Federal University of Education in Pankshin, Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Federal University of Technology in Ikot-Abasi, First Technical University, Imo State University, Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Karl Kumm University, Kwara State University, Landmark University, Lead City University, Modibbo Adama University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Osun State University, Plateau State University, Redeemer’s University, Summit University, Tai Solarin University of Education, Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ilesa, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, have settled on 160. Finally, institutions such as AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Adamawa State University, Adeleke University, and African School of Economics in Abuja have the most accessible threshold at 150.
Prospective students are advised to verify specific course requirements with their chosen universities, as these scores are merely the starting point for the admission process.