JAMB Denies Setting Cut-Off Marks for University and Polytechnic Admissions

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has refuted claims that it has established cut-off marks for admissions into higher institutions across Nigeria.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, JAMB denied setting 140 as the cut-off mark for universities and 100 for polytechnics.

“There’s no such thing as a ‘cut-off mark’ in the admission process to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. What’s obtainable is a minimum tolerable score determinable by individual institutions,” the statement read.

This clarification follows widespread reports that the Board had set 140 as the cut-off mark for university admissions and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.

The information was attributed to JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who was misquoted as announcing the cut-off marks during the 2024 Policy meeting of the Board in Abuja.

The meeting, which included the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars of higher institutions, and other stakeholders, addressed various issues, including the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions.

During the meeting, the Minister directed that admissions should not be granted to candidates under 18 years old. This directive elicited mixed reactions from the vice-chancellors, rectors, and registrars present. The Minister expressed concern over parents pressuring their underage wards to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

Mamman emphasized that the 18-year age requirement aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system. “JAMB is hereby instructed from this year to admit only eligible students, those who have attained 18 years by our laws,” the Minister stated.

He insisted that his position was supported by Nigerian law governing admissions into tertiary institutions and that admission bodies should adhere to this without needing a ministerial statement.

“Our laws require students to be in school from six years old—yes, some start at five—and remain in primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years. It doesn’t require a statement from the minister. We are only restating what is in the law,” he added.

Professor Mamman also mentioned that the Ministry of Education is introducing skill acquisition programs starting from primary school for students who do not gain admission into tertiary institutions.