JAMB Removes Minimum Cut-Off Marks for 2024/2025 Admissions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will not be setting a national minimum cut-off mark for admissions into tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 academic session.

In a statement released by JAMB, the decision to remove the uniform benchmark was taken after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders in the education sector.

According to the Board, tertiary institutions have now been granted full autonomy to set their own minimum admission scores based on their peculiar criteria, demands, and extant policies.

Each university, polytechnic, college of education, or other tertiary institution will determine the least acceptable scores across programs and courses during their respective admission selection meetings.

JAMB however stated that it would still provide guidance and oversight to institutions in setting realistic and acceptable admission cut-off marks in line with established best practices.

The apex tertiary admissions body cited increasing competition, institution-specific demands, as well as varying admission trajectories as reasons necessitating the removal of a national minimum cut-off mark.

Educational stakeholders and institutional heads have welcomed the new directive, describing it as a move that encourages healthy competition and allows institutions to autonomously regulate their admission procedures.

However, some have also cautioned that safeguards must be instituted to prevent arbitrary practices that could undermine access and merit in the process.

The 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is scheduled to hold across accredited centers nationwide from April 29 to May 12, 2024.

Subsequent decisions on admission policies and screening activities will be undertaken