The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a fresh clarification regarding the ongoing debate over the mathematics requirement and the 150 UTME minimum cut-off mark for university admissions in Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 13, during an interview on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme Good Morning Nigeria, JAMB's Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, explained that the minimum score of 150 has been widely misunderstood as a reduction in admission standards.
"When we say 150 minimum, it doesn't mean the debate out there that 'they are lowering.' Don't forget UTME is not a major determinant for admission," Benjamin stated.
He emphasised that university admissions are based on a combination of factors, including O'Level results and course-specific requirements, not solely on UTME scores. Candidates must have five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and other subjects required by their chosen programme.
Benjamin noted that the UTME serves primarily as a tool to manage access to limited university spaces and ensure fairness among applicants. Universities retain autonomy in setting requirements for their courses, while JAMB coordinates the admission process based on agreed standards.
"Education is a global product—we are competing all over the world. If I want to go to London today to study, nobody will ask me for JAMB; the same thing in Ghana, Cameroon, here, and there. We are doing this because in most of these programs, especially those that are highly subscribed, we don't have enough spaces for these candidates to go in, which is why this examination is conducted," he said.
Benjamin added, "If you look at the name JAMB, there is nothing about examination there. Examination became accidental. It's a vehicle to which we can create equity, fairness, and transparency. If today we wake up and we have enough candidates going into medicine, engineering, and all these programs, we may not even have any need for examinations."
He further clarified that mathematics is no longer compulsory for all courses. While it remains necessary for science, engineering, and other technical fields, some arts and language-related courses may not require Mathematics at O'Level, depending on institutional guidelines. Examples include Hausa Language, Arabic, and Christian Religious Studies.
"You could see that the minister (during the policy meeting) also went further to make pronouncements on certain policies that will also shape the 2026 admission. On the issue of mathematics for certain programs, for instance, if you want to study the Hausa language in the university today, you don't need mathematics. Before, you must have a credit in mathematics. Unlike if you go to London, where you want to read Hausa, Arabic, or CRS, you don't need mathematics. Mathematics is not needed," Benjamin explained.
Previously, Legit.ng reported that JAMB released the 2026 UTME minimum cut-off marks for Nigerian universities, with institutions setting varying thresholds for admission. Pan-Atlantic University recorded the highest benchmark at 220, while leading institutions such as the University of Lagos and University of Ibadan fixed their general cut-off marks at 200 for the 2026 admission cycle.
