The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will hold its 2025 Policy Meeting today, July 8, 2025, to decide the cut-off marks and admission guidelines for Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and monotechnics for the 2025/2026 academic session. The meeting is taking place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and is a big event for students, parents, and schools across Nigeria.
This annual meeting, chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, brings together key education stakeholders, including vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and senior officials from bodies like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). They will discuss and agree on the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores, also known as cut-off marks, needed for admission into various tertiary institutions. These cut-off marks set the lowest score a candidate must achieve to be considered for admission.
JAMB will also use the meeting to set admission timelines, including deadlines for registration, application submissions, and screening for the 2025/2026 academic session. The board will present reports on the 2025 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) processes, sharing details on application statistics, candidates’ performance, and any challenges faced. This information will help shape the government’s education policies.
Another highlight of the meeting is the announcement of the top-performing candidates in the 2025 UTME. JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, confirmed that the board will celebrate these high achievers, helping institutions identify exceptional students during their selection process. This is always an exciting moment for candidates who worked hard to score high in the exam.
There is also talk that the cut-off marks might be adjusted due to the reported mass failure in the 2025 UTME. While JAMB sets a minimum benchmark, individual schools can choose higher cut-off marks based on their programs and the number of applicants. For example, in previous years, the minimum cut-off for universities was 140, while polytechnics and colleges of education had a minimum of 100. Education analysts expect similar ranges this year unless new policies are introduced.
JAMB has warned candidates, parents, and admission seekers to ignore rumors about cut-off marks until the official announcement is made after the meeting. The board also plans to discuss ways to reduce exam malpractice and improve fairness in the admission process, such as addressing issues like underage SIM registration and fake admission letters. Recently, JAMB, working with the Nigeria Police Force, arrested five people involved in producing fake admission letters, showing their commitment to cleaning up the system.
The meeting will also cover other important topics, like admission quotas for institutions and how to ensure fair admissions based on merit, catchment areas, or support for disadvantaged states. These decisions will guide how tertiary institutions admit students for the upcoming academic session.
For students waiting to know their fate, today’s meeting is a big deal. The outcomes will determine who qualifies for admission and set the pace for the 2025/2026 academic year. Keep an eye on trusted sources like us for updates on the official cut-off marks and admission guidelines once they are announced.