The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set the minimum benchmark for admissions into tertiary institutions at 140 for universities, 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
This decision was taken at the 2024 policy meeting in Abuja, where heads of higher institutions gathered to determine the minimum tolerable score for admissions.
According to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the benchmark is not a cut-off mark, but rather a minimum score that institutions can use as a basis for admissions. Each university has submitted its benchmark scores to JAMB, and no institution is allowed to admit candidates with scores below 140.
The policy meeting also excluded certain categories of candidates from post-UTME tests, including those from outside Nigeria and candidates with disabilities. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that the ban on underage admission would commence in 2025, but stakeholders protested, leading to a rowdy session that was eventually restored to order by the JAMB Registrar.
The minimum benchmark approved for universities is 140, while polytechnics and colleges of education are expected to admit candidates with a minimum score of 100. JAMB has instructed institutions to clearly disclose this exemption in their advertisements for post-UTME screening tests and to strictly enforce this policy.
