By Henry Oladele
An educationist, Mr Sunday Fowowe, says the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) 150 cut off mark for 2025/2026 admission to universities announced by the board carries potential benefits.
The educationist, who is also the National President of the Association of Nursery and Primary Education Instructors in Nigeria, made this known in an interview.
Fowowe, however, said that the cutoff mark also presented important challenges that required thoughtful consideration.
JAMB on Tuesday fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025-2026 academic session.
The decision was reached during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with stakeholders from various tertiary institutions in attendance.
Fowowe said that the decision also marked a notable shift in Nigeria’s higher education admission landscape.
“On one hand, this lowered threshold can significantly increase access to tertiary education, particularly for students from underserved regions or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Many students, who score below traditionally higher cut-off marks, may now have a chance to enter universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, thereby, expanding the talent pool and promoting greater educational equity,” he said.
He said the policy might also align with broader national goals of increasing youth enrollment in higher education, addressing regional disparities, and building a more inclusive education system.
“In rural and under-resourced areas where access to quality secondary education is limited, this decision might act as a corrective measure, giving students a fairer opportunity to continue their studies,” he said.
The educationist, however, said that the lowering of the minimum cut-off score also raised valid concerns about academic quality and institutional readiness.
“The pressure on universities and other tertiary institutions to maintain rigorous academic standards will likely increase.
“Without proper checks, there is a risk that institutions can become overwhelmed, leading to overcrowded classrooms, strained resources, and a decline in the quality of education delivered.
“Additionally, critics argue that a lower benchmark could devalue meritocracy, where excellence and preparedness are rewarded.
“It may encourage complacency among prospective candidates, ensuring that the right balance is struck between access and academic integrity is, therefore, crucial,” he said.
Fowowe, however, said that with this recent benchmark, the responsibility now shifted more heavily to the individual institutions.
“While JAMB sets the minimum national cut-off mark, universities and colleges are still at liberty to establish their own internal criteria through processes like Post-UTME screenings.
“Others are interviews or aptitude tests; departmental quotas and standards, academic bridging or foundation programmes among others.
“These tools, if effectively implemented, can help filter and prepare students more adequately for the demands of higher education, regardless of their initial JAMB scores,” he said.
Fowowe added that the success of the policy would depend on how well it was implemented, monitored, and supported.
“If institutions are proactive in upholding strong academic frameworks and providing robust student support services, the lowered cut-off mark can serve as a catalyst for more inclusive and equitable education without sacrificing quality.
“However, without continuous oversight and investment in infrastructure, faculty, and academic services, there is a real risk that the policy can result in diluted academic standards and widened performance gaps.
“A balanced approach, guided by data, feedback, and strategic planning, will be essential to ensure that the gains in access translate into positive educational and societal outcomes,” he said.
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