Mixed Reactions Trail JAMB’s 2025 Cut-Off Mark, Admission Age Policy

The decision by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to set the university admission cut-off mark at 150 has generated concern among some Nigerians. The reason for the unease is that the score is considered too low to encourage serious study or bring out the best in candidates.

During its annual policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions held in Abuja on Tuesday, JAMB also approved a score of 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education, while maintaining the score for colleges of nursing at 140.

According to the Board, the decision applies to the 2025/2026 academic session.

In another unexpected move during the meeting, JAMB reduced the minimum admission age from 18 to 16, thereby accommodating younger applicants.

Dr Tunde Elebute, a private school proprietor in Lagos, in his reaction, told the media that such low benchmarks discourage academic diligence.

He said, “This is evidence that our children are no longer focusing on burning the midnight candle for excellent results.

“Their attention have been drawn away by social media. Some people started saying, ‘Education is a scam.’ Can you see the results?

“If children scored so low, what can JAMB officials do? Students must be given admission. But let us hope that as children grow older in the higher institutions, they will begin to appreciate the necessity to study hard for excellent results.

“Government at all levels should declare an emergency in our education industry. There should be summits, seminars, and jingles on radio, television, and social media that will rebirth the interest of our children in education.

“Of course, we should make our curriculum to give room for practicals.”

Dr Benneth Eze, a lecturer at a private university in Nigeria, also shared his opinion. He stated, “JAMB and tertiary education stakeholders have pegged the cut-off point for university admission at 150, which is an increase over last year’s figure of 140.

“Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the cut-off point for universities should not be less than 45% of the total score of 400, which will amount to 180.

“Lowering the cut-off mark tends to adversely affect the quality of graduates as a result of a decline in the quality of students admitted.

“Therefore, a cut-off point of 180 would have been more appropriate for the universities. It is important to state that JAMB’s policy is such that universities are at liberty to fix higher cut-off points.

“On the issue of the admissible age that has been pegged at 16 years, I think that it is a good idea, as it is necessary to strike a balance between maturity and academic preparedness.

“Admitting students below 16 could present challenges in terms of their maturity and ability to cope with the rigours of university life and academic expectations.”

Dr Victor Mathew, a cleric and security expert who is also the Executive Director of the Kingdom Advocacy Network (KAN), commented, “I strongly believe 150 as a cut-off point for entry into universities is low; this, I believe, is a serious lowering of educational standards.

“Educational excellence cannot be attained with such a lowered standard. The issue should be revisited and the government policy reversed.

“When the entry bar is so low, the unintended consequence is the lack of striving by students to study very hard and excel.

“With a low entry bar, the end products at graduation will also be below average.

“This policy is a backwards policy just to accommodate educationally disadvantaged states who have refused to learn and upgrade their educational status.

“They are dragging those who want to excel with this regressive below-the-bar policy.

“On the issue of admission age being reduced to 16 years, I am in support of this policy.

This will make provisions for exceptional students to gain admission and pursue their academic careers.

“Some very brilliant kids skip classes and should be allowed to gain admission at 16.

“Though the law is 18, to be regarded as being able to make and take decisions, 16 should be allowed to pursue higher education.

“In summary, the policy of 150 as a cut-off mark should be revised and at least be left at its former figure, and the entry age of 16 should be allowed to stay.”

Utase Joseph Utase, an education consultant, stated, “The reduction of JAMB’s cut-off mark to 150 and the admission age to 16 sparks mixed reactions.

“While it may widen access to tertiary education and reflect the realities of student performance, it raises concerns about lowering academic standards.

“A lower benchmark may compromise the quality of university entrants, potentially affecting educational excellence.

“Additionally, admitting younger candidates may challenge their emotional and intellectual readiness for higher education.

“For excellence to be maintained, universities must strengthen internal screening processes and provide strong academic and emotional support systems.

“Accessibility should not come at the expense of quality and readiness.”

Bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, an economist and public affairs analyst, remarked: “Last Tuesday, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) took a number of decisions concerning admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including admissions cutoff marks for the following categories:

The university’s minimum cutoff mark of 150, a 10 mark increase from what it was last year.

Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, 100 marks, and Colleges of Nursing, 140 marks. The minimum age for admission is now maintained at 16 years

“This is an interesting decision. Although the marks are very, very low, they represent the reality on the ground. In those days, it used to be 200.

“Well, it has been said that examination is not the true test of knowledge. A high cut-off mark will make JAMB a disqualifying board to higher learning instead of an admissions board.

“In admission into American universities, you only need your Secondary School Certificate and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Before JAMB was set up, admissions were based on a student’s Secondary School Certificate and an interview with the respective university.

“Our people going to America to study only take the TOEFL. With the 6-3-3-4 system of education at the secondary school level, the three aspects of learning are covered; namely, Cognitive, Psychomotor and Affective Domain, hence should provide a more effective learning process.

“On the issue of admission age, the Board retained the previous limit of 16 years. The standard is okay since the majority of students complete their secondary school education at 16 years.

“So, the July meeting of stakeholders in education was indeed very fruitful and impactful. This will enable many candidates to gain admission.”