By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has pegged 150 as the minimum score for admission into universities for the 2025 academic session.
This decision was announced after JAMB’s policy meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, where the board also approved 100 as the minimum cut-off for candidates seeking admission into polytechnics and colleges of education, while colleges of nursing sciences will admit applicants who score 140 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). 
JAMB also took the opportunity to unveil the top scorers from the 2025 UTME, highlighting students who stood out in this year’s exams.
Topping the chart is Chinedu Christian Okeke from Anambra State, who scored an impressive 375 out of 400. Okeke, who has chosen the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Mechanical Engineering, was praised for his outstanding performance.
In second place is Simon-Peter John Ayuba from Gombe State, who scored 374. He selected Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) for the same course—Mechanical Engineering.
Jimoh Abdulmalik Olayinka, from Kwara State, emerged third with 373, also aiming to study Mechanical Engineering at UNILAG.
The board emphasized that institutions are free to set their own internal cut-off marks as long as they do not go below the national minimum approved.
JAMB reiterated that all admissions must be conducted strictly through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), and any admission processed outside the system will be considered invalid.
