As thousands of students across Nigeria prepare for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), one of the most common questions candidates ask is:
“What is the minimum JAMB score required to gain admission into a federal university?”
This question is very important because knowing the right cut-off helps you set realistic expectations and guides your choice of course and institution.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the minimum score for federal university admission in 2025, including what JAMB has approved, how schools adjust their own cut-off marks, and what you can do if your score is low.
JAMB’s Official Minimum Score for Federal Universities in 2025
For the 2025 admission year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved 140 as the general minimum cut-off mark for admission into federal universities.
This means that if you score below 140, you are not eligible to apply for admission into any federal university in Nigeria. However, if you score 140 or above, you meet the basic requirement — but that alone does not guarantee admission.
Federal Universities Can Set Their Own Higher Cut-Off Marks
While JAMB has set 140 as the general minimum, individual universities are allowed to set their own cut-off marks, especially for competitive courses. For example:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG) might set its cut-off at 200 or above
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) often uses 200+
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) may require 180–200 depending on the course
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) also uses a range from 180–220 based on faculty
So, even though JAMB allows 140, many federal universities use 180, 200, or even 250 as their actual departmental cut-off marks, especially for high-demand courses like:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Law
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Engineering
- Computer Science
What If You Score Between 140 and 179?
If your UTME score is between 140 and 179, your chances of getting into a top federal university may be low — but not impossible. Here are your options:
- Apply for less competitive courses in the same university
- Choose federal universities with lower cut-offs
- Consider switching to state universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, which accept lower scores
- Wait for supplementary admission or apply through other programs like JUPEB or Pre-Degree
Factors That Affect Admission Beyond Your Score
Apart from your UTME score, other factors federal universities use for admission include:
- O’level (WAEC/NECO) results
- Post-UTME/screening performance (if the school conducts one)
- Catchment area and state of origin
- Choice order (first, second choice)
- Departmental cut-off mark for your course
So even with a good UTME score, your subject combination, O’level grades, and how well you follow instructions during screening also matter.
RELATED ARTICLES:
- What Is the JAMB Minimum Score for Admission into Private Universities in 2025?
- What Is the JAMB Minimum Score for Admission into State Universities in 2025?
Final Advice for 2025 Candidates
If you’re aiming to study at a federal university in 2025, aim for a score higher than the general 140 — ideally 180 and above, and for competitive courses, 200+ is safer.
Don’t stop at just writing the UTME. Follow up with:
- The right subject combination
- Strong O’level results
- Good Post-UTME/screening performance
- Monitoring your JAMB CAPS and staying updated
To check the cut-off marks for specific schools and courses, visit:
- 2025 JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Schools
- Federal University Admission Requirements
- How to Change Course or Institution After JAMB
For trusted updates, tips, and guides, stay connected to jamb2025.com.