The 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting brought together tertiary institution leaders, education stakeholders, and government representatives to review admission guidelines for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing schools, and other higher institutions in Nigeria.
Key decisions were made regarding admission benchmarks, timelines, CAPS operations, and screening procedures. Below are the major highlights and their implications for candidates.
1. Approved Minimum Cut-Off Marks
The national minimum cut-off marks for 2026 admissions have been set as follows:
- Universities: 150
- Colleges of Nursing: 150
- Polytechnics: 100
- Colleges of Education: Flexible (some programmes may admit without UTME)
However, institutions retain the right to set higher departmental or institutional cut-off marks depending on competition and course demand.
Highly competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, and Computer Science will still require significantly higher scores.
2. Admission Closing Deadlines
Official deadlines for admission processing are as follows:
- Public Universities: 31st October 2026
- Private Universities: 30th November 2026
- Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and IEIs: 31st December 2026
After these dates:
- CAPS will be closed
- No further admissions will be processed
Candidates are advised to complete all admission steps early.
3. UTME May Not Be Required for Some Programmes
UTME may not be compulsory for certain programmes such as:
- NCE programmes
- Some agricultural courses
- Selected vocational and technical programmes
This is aimed at improving access to tertiary education and encouraging skill-based learning pathways.
4. Admission is Multi-Criteria Based
Admission is not determined by UTME score alone. Institutions will also consider:
- Post-UTME or screening performance
- O’Level results
- Catchment area policy
- Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) considerations
- Institutional requirements
Candidates are advised to prepare holistically, not just focus on UTME scores.
5. Change of Course/Institution Portal Not Yet Open
JAMB has not yet opened the Change of Course and Institution portal.
Candidates are advised to:
- Wait for official announcements
- Avoid fraudsters and unofficial agents
- Follow only verified JAMB communication channels
6. Original Result Slip Printing Not Active
Printing of the official 2026 JAMB original result slip is not yet available.
Candidates can currently only access their UTME notification slips.
7. Institutions Retain Admission Autonomy
Tertiary institutions still control key aspects of admission, including:
- Setting departmental cut-off marks
- Conducting Post-UTME screening
- Defining admission criteria
JAMB’s role remains coordination and regulation through CAPS.
8. CAPS Remains the Official Admission Platform
All admissions must be processed through the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
Candidates should:
- Monitor CAPS regularly
- Accept or reject admission promptly
- Upload O’Level results when required
- Ensure all details are accurate
Failure to respond on CAPS may affect admission outcomes.
Key Admission Timeline Overview
- May – June: UTME results and policy updates
- June – July: Change of course/institution period
- July – September: Post-UTME screenings
- August – October: Major university admissions
- November – December: Private institutions and other colleges conclude admissions
Final Advice to Candidates
Admission success in 2026 depends on more than just UTME performance. Candidates are advised to:
- Stay informed with official updates
- Prepare adequately for Post-UTME screenings
- Ensure O’Level requirements are complete
- Choose courses strategically
- Avoid scams and misinformation
- Monitor CAPS consistently
Admission is a process that combines academic performance, documentation, and timely action.
Conclusion
The 2026 admission process remains structured and competitive. While the cut-off marks provide broader access, institutions still maintain authority over final admission decisions.
Candidates are encouraged to remain focused, prepared, and proactive to improve their chances of securing admission successfully.
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