The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 150 as the cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This move, announced during JAMB’s policy meeting in Abuja, has stirred serious debate among educationists and stakeholders across the country.
While some believe the cut-off mark gives more candidates access to higher education, many worry it may weaken academic quality.
JAMB also approved 100 as the cut-off for polytechnics and colleges of education, while colleges of nursing got 140. The minimum age for university admission was also reduced to 16.
Dr. Tunde Elebute, a private school owner, described the cut-off as “evidence that our children are no longer focusing on burning the midnight candle.”
He blamed the rising influence of social media and called for government intervention.
“Government at all levels should declare an emergency in our education industry,” he said. “We need summits, seminars, jingles… anything to rekindle students’ interest in learning.”
Dr. Benneth Eze, a university lecturer, insisted that 150 is still too low. He argued that “a cut-off point of 180 would have been more appropriate,” warning that lowering standards could affect the quality of graduates.
He acknowledged that “universities are at liberty to fix higher cut-off points,” but said uniform benchmarks send a strong national signal.
Calls for Balance Between Access and Excellence
Dr. Victor Mathew, a cleric and security expert, also criticised the 150 mark.
“This policy is backward,” he said. “Educational excellence cannot be attained with such a lowered standard.”
According to him, “this policy was meant to accommodate educationally disadvantaged states, but in doing so, it pulls down others who want to excel.”
However, Dr. Mathew supported the 16-year admission age. “Some brilliant kids skip classes. They should be allowed to pursue higher education early,” he added.
Education consultant Utase Joseph Utase said the new policy “may widen access but risks lowering academic standards.”
He advised universities to build strong internal screening processes to maintain quality.
“Accessibility should not come at the expense of quality and readiness,” he warned.
Bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, an economist and public affairs analyst, had a more balanced view.
He noted that “although the marks are low, they reflect current realities on the ground.”
He added, “In America, you only need your Secondary School Certificate and TOEFL. A high JAMB score should not become a barrier to higher learning.”
He agreed that keeping the admission age at 16 aligns with Nigeria’s school completion timeline.
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I am in favour of pegging the cut-off mark to 150.
Every child deserves access to university education. 🎓Sadly, due to systemic corruption and outdated processes, many students have lost valuable years waiting for admission. It’s time to restore fairness and raise the standard—so no dream is delayed or denied.