Analyzing the Official Cut-Off Marks for UNILAG, UI, ABU, and Other Top Universities for the 2025/2026 Session

Introduction: The Number That Defines the Next Chapter

The wait is over. After months of tireless preparation, you’ve sat for the JAMB UTME, and the results are in. You log into the portal, your heart pounding a frantic rhythm against your ribs, and there it is: your score. A single, three-digit number that holds the key to your immediate academic future. For a fleeting moment, there is either elation or disappointment. But that moment is quickly replaced by a single, burning question: “Is this score good enough?”

This question is the starting point of a new, often confusing journey into the world of university admissions, a world governed by a powerful and frequently misunderstood concept: the “cut-off mark.” What exactly is it? Is the number announced by JAMB the only one that matters? How does a university like UNILAG calculate its mark for a competitive course like Medicine, and how does it differ from ABU’s approach for Law?

The lack of clear, consolidated information creates a fog of anxiety for students and parents alike. Rumours fly, misinformation spreads, and many talented candidates make critical errors like choosing the wrong course or failing to understand their true chances simply because they don’t understand the system.

This guide is designed to be your beacon in that fog. We are going to conduct a comprehensive, in-depth analysis of the admission cut-off mark system in Nigeria for the 2025/2026 academic session. We will demystify the entire process, breaking down the difference between JAMB’s general cut-off and the university’s departmental cut-off. We will explore the critical concept of the aggregate score and show you how it’s calculated. Most importantly, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the expected cut-off marks for top-tier institutions like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), as well as trends in other leading universities. This is not just a list of numbers; this is your strategic manual for understanding and navigating the path to admission.

Part 1: The Two Pillars of Admission – Demystifying the Types of Cut-Off Marks

Before we dive into specific university figures, it is absolutely critical to understand that the term “cut-off mark” refers to two very different things. Confusing them is the first major mistake a candidate can make.

Pillar 1: The JAMB General Minimum Cut-Off Mark

This is the number that makes the headlines. Every year, after the UTME, JAMB holds a policy meeting with the heads of all tertiary institutions in the country. In this meeting, they agree upon a minimum score that every candidate must achieve to be considered for admission into any institution.

• What is its purpose? Think of the JAMB general cut-off as a basic eligibility requirement. It’s the first filter. If the cut-off is set at, for example, 160 for universities, it means that no university is legally allowed to offer admission to a candidate who scored 159 or below, regardless of how well they do in other assessments.
• Who sets it? It is a collective decision, but it is announced and enforced by JAMB. The marks are usually tiered for different institution types (e.g., 160 for Universities, 120 for Polytechnics, and 100 for Colleges of Education).
• Is it important? Yes, it is important for eligibility. But it is NOT the mark that gets you admission into a competitive course. This is the most crucial point to understand. Scoring 160 does not mean you can study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. It simply means your name can be sent to universities for admission consideration. It gets your foot in the door, but it doesn’t get you a seat in the lecture hall.

Pillar 2: The University/Departmental Cut-Off Mark (The Real Hurdle)

This is the number that truly matters. This is the specific mark set by each individual university for each specific course they offer. It is determined by a combination of factors and is almost always significantly higher than the JAMB general minimum.

• What is its purpose? This is the mark used by the university to sort and rank applicants for a particular department. Since there are far more applicants than available slots for courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Economics, the departmental cut-off is used to select the best-qualified candidates.
• Who sets it? The university’s admission committee sets this mark. It is based on:
  1. The performance of all applicants for that course: If thousands of candidates applying for Law at UNILAG all score above 300 in JAMB, the cut-off mark for Law will naturally be very high.
  2. The admission quota: This is the number of students the department is allowed to admit, as approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). A department with only 100 slots will have a much higher cut-off than one with 500 slots.
• How is it calculated? This is the key. The departmental cut-off is not based on your JAMB score alone. It is based on a composite or aggregate score, which is calculated by combining your performance in JAMB, your Post-UTME (or screening) score, and sometimes your O’level results.

The All-Important Concept: The Aggregate Score

The aggregate score is your final, weighted admission score. This is the number the university uses to rank you against other applicants for your chosen course. While the formula can vary slightly from one university to another, the most common formula is a 50/50 weighting between your JAMB and Post-UTME scores.

Here is the standard formula:

1. JAMB Component: Your JAMB score is divided by 8. (Since JAMB is scored out of 400, dividing by 8 brings it down to a score out of 50).
   • Example: If you scored 320 in JAMB, your JAMB component is 320 / 8 = 40.
2. Post-UTME Component: Your Post-UTME score is divided by 2. (Since Post-UTME is often scored out of 100, dividing by 2 brings it down to a score out of 50).
   • Example: If you scored 80% in your Post-UTME, your Post-UTME component is 80 / 2 = 40.
3. Final Aggregate Score: The two components are added together.
   • Example: Your aggregate score would be 40 + 40 = 80%.

This aggregate score of 80% is what the university will use. If the departmental cut-off mark for your course is 75%, you are in a very strong position for admission. If the cut-off is 82%, you are unlikely to be admitted.

Part 2: Analyzing the Titans – A Deep Dive into UNILAG, UI, and ABU

These three universities are among the most prestigious and sought-after in Nigeria. Their admission processes are highly competitive, and understanding their specific trends is key.

DISCLAIMER: The official cut-off marks for the 2025/2026 session will only be released by the universities after their Post-UTME exercises are completed. The figures provided below are projections based on the data and trends from the most recent admission cycle (2024/2025). They are intended to be a strategic guide, not an official guarantee.

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG) – “The University of First Choice”

UNILAG is renowned for its rigid, merit-based admission system, which also incorporates a catchment area advantage.

• Admission Philosophy: UNILAG places a heavy emphasis on both JAMB and Post-UTME scores. Their aggregate system is strictly followed. Furthermore, admission is weighted based on:
  • Merit: 45% of slots are reserved for candidates with the highest scores, regardless of their state of origin.
  • Catchment Area: 35% is for candidates from UNILAG’s catchment states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti).
  • ELDS (Educationally Less Developed States): 20% is for candidates from states designated as educationally less developed.

    This means a candidate from a catchment state might gain admission with a slightly lower score than a candidate from a non-catchment state applying for the same course.

Projected Aggregate Cut-Off Marks for UNILAG (2025/2026 Session)

Faculty	Course	Estimated Aggregate Cut-Off (Merit)
Medicine/Health Sci.	Medicine and Surgery	85% and above
	Dentistry	80% – 83%
	Physiotherapy	78% – 81%
	Nursing	79% – 82%
Law	Law	81% – 84%
Engineering	Chemical Engineering	79% – 82%
	Electrical & Electronics Eng.	82% – 85%
	Mechanical Engineering	81% – 84%
	Computer Engineering	83% – 86%
Social Sciences	Economics	78% – 81%
	Mass Communication	79% – 82%
	Accounting	79% – 82%
Sciences	Computer Science	80% – 83%

 

2. University of Ibadan (UI) – “The First and the Best”

As Nigeria’s first university, UI has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and a highly competitive, merit-driven admission process.

• Admission Philosophy: UI is famously strict. They place a huge emphasis on O’level results during the initial screening. To even be eligible to write their Post-UTME, a candidate must usually have excellent WAEC/NECO results. Their process is arguably the most meritocratic in the country, with very little consideration for factors outside of academic performance (JAMB, Post-UTME, and O’levels).

Projected Aggregate Cut-Off Marks for UI (2025/2026 Session)

Faculty	Course	Estimated Aggregate Cut-Off
Medicine/Health Sci.	Medicine and Surgery	83% and above
	Pharmacy	78% – 81%
	Human Nutrition	75% – 78%
	Nursing	77% – 80%
Law	Law	79% – 82%
Technology	Electrical & Electronics Eng.	80% – 83%
	Mechanical Engineering	79% – 82%
	Petroleum Engineering	78% – 81%
Social Sciences	Economics	76% – 79%
	Political Science	74% – 77%
Sciences	Computer Science	78% – 81%

 

3. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

ABU is the largest university in Nigeria and one of the most respected in Northern Nigeria and beyond. Its admission process is also highly competitive, with a well-defined catchment area system.

• Admission Philosophy: ABU combines merit with a strong emphasis on its catchment area, which includes states in the North. This provides a significant advantage to applicants from those regions. Like other federal universities, the final admission is based on an aggregate of JAMB and Post-UTME scores.

Projected Aggregate Cut-Off Marks for ABU (2025/2026 Session)

Faculty	Course	Estimated Aggregate Cut-Off (Merit)
Medicine/Health Sci.	Medicine and Surgery	80% and above
	Pharmacy	77% – 80%
	Nursing Sciences	75% – 78%
Law	Law	78% – 81%
Engineering	Chemical Engineering	75% – 78%
	Electrical Engineering	76% – 79%
	Mechanical Engineering	75% – 78%
Social Sciences	Economics	72% – 75%
	Mass Communication	74% – 77%
Sciences	Computer Science	74% – 77%

 

Part 3: Beyond the Big Three – Cut-Off Mark Trends in Other Top Universities

While UNILAG, UI, and ABU are titans, many other federal and state universities are also highly competitive. Here’s a look at the general trends you can expect.

• Top Federal Universities (OAU, UNN, UNIBEN, FUTO): These universities follow a similar pattern to the “big three.” They are highly competitive, especially for professional courses. You should generally aim for a JAMB score of 270+ and a strong Post-UTME performance to be competitive for courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering. Their aggregate cut-offs for these courses will likely range from 75% to 85%.
• Top State Universities (LASU, OOU, AAU): State universities can be just as competitive as federal ones, especially Lagos State University (LASU). They often have a strong catchment advantage for indigenes of the state. While their cut-offs might be slightly lower than the top federal universities, you will still need a very strong aggregate score, often in the 70% to 80% range for top courses.
• Top Private Universities (Covenant, Babcock, Afe Babalola): Private universities have a different model. Their JAMB cut-off mark is often the general minimum (e.g., 160-180). Admission is less dependent on an ultra-high JAMB score and more on their own internal screening processes and, crucially, the applicant’s ability to afford the tuition fees.

Part 4: Your Score and Your Next Steps – A Strategic Guide

So, what do you do with all this information? Here’s a practical guide based on your JAMB score.

1. If Your Score is High (280 and Above):

Congratulations! You are in a strong position. However, do not get complacent. Your work is not done.

• Focus on Post-UTME: A high JAMB score is only half the battle. You must now prepare relentlessly for your chosen university’s Post-UTME. A poor Post-UTME performance can easily disqualify a candidate with a JAMB score of 300+.
• Confirm Your O’levels: Ensure you have at least five credits in the required subjects for your course.

2. If Your Score is Average (220 – 279):

You are in a competitive but uncertain range. Your strategy must be meticulous.

• Be Realistic with Your Choices: If you scored 240, your chances of getting into Medicine at UNILAG are virtually zero. However, that same score could be highly competitive for a course like Microbiology or Botany at the same university.
• Consider Less Competitive Universities: A score of 250 might not get you into UI, but it could be a top-tier score at a good federal or state university with a lower applicant pool.
• Smash the Post-UTME: This is your chance to shine. A very high Post-UTME score can compensate for a decent but not spectacular JAMB score.

3. If Your Score is Below the Likely Cut-Off (Below 220):

This is a time for smart, strategic decisions, not despair.

• JAMB Change of Course/Institution: This is your most powerful tool. The JAMB portal will open a window for candidates to change their chosen institution and/or course. Research courses that are less competitive but for which you are still qualified. For example, instead of Computer Science, consider Library and Information Science. Instead of Medicine, consider Anatomy or Physiology.
• Consider Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: These institutions are a fantastic and valid pathway to a successful career and higher education. A National Diploma (ND) from a good polytechnic can lead to a good job or a Direct Entry admission into a university later on. Do not overlook this option.
• Prepare for Next Year: There is absolutely no shame in taking the exam again. Now you have experience. You understand the system better. If your heart is set on a highly competitive course, use the next year to study harder, address your weak points, and come back stronger.

Conclusion: A Number is Just a Starting Point

Understanding university cut-off marks is about transforming from a hopeful applicant into a strategic candidate. It’s about recognizing that your admission is not determined by a single number, but by a calculated aggregate of your performance across multiple assessments. It’s about knowing the terrain understanding that the requirements for UI are different from ABU, and that a smart choice of course can make all the difference.

Use this guide not to feel intimidated by the high figures, but to feel empowered by knowledge. Use it to assess your chances realistically, to prepare with purpose, and to make informed decisions about your future. Your JAMB score has set the stage, but the final act is determined by your strategy, your Post-UTME performance, and your persistence. The journey is competitive, but with the right information, you are more than equipped to navigate it. Good luck.