Varsities, Others Face Criticism Over 2024 Minimum JAMB Cut-off Score

Universities and other tertiary institutions across the country have come under intense scrutiny and criticism following their decision to implement a minimum Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off score of 140 for 2024 admissions for universities.

LEADERSHIP report that Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, had at the recent 2024 policy meeting of tertiary tnstitutions pegged 140 as a cut-off mark for admission into the university category of higher education.

This is just as the Rectors and Provosts also fixed 100 as the minimum cut-off point mark for admission into polytechnics and colleges of education respectively.

Since 2018 to 2023, the cutoff marks for universities have been consistently set at 160, while polytechnics and colleges of education have been set at 120 and 100 respectively.

The JAMB cut off marks for Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from 2018 to date indicated thus;

In 2021, the cut off mark for Universities was 160, Polytechnics 120 and Colleges of Education 100.
In 2020, Universities had 160, Polytechnics 120 while Colleges of Education had 100 cut off mark.
Meanwhile, Universities had 160, Polytechnics 120 and Colleges of Education 100 in 2019 admission cycle while in 2018, Universities had 160, polytechnics 120 and colleges of education 100.

Although specific institutions are at liberty to set higher cutoff marks depending on factors such as the competitiveness of their programmes and the number of available spaces, critics have argued that such a move compromises the quality of education and diminishes the competitiveness of graduates in the job market.

Concerns have also been raised about whether students admitted under these conditions will possess the necessary academic rigor and competence expected at the tertiary level.

Educators and parents alike have voiced their concerns, emphasising the need to uphold stringent admission standards to maintain the integrity and excellence of Nigerian universities.

Some stakeholders fear that lowering the cut-off score could lead to a decline in educational standards and a reduction in the global competitiveness of graduates.

Speaking on the development, a parent who base in Lugbe, Abuja Innocent Bunde lamented that institutions should at least fix minimum cut off mark at 180 in order to push the students to study hard.

According to him, “The Education system in Nigeria has really going down, if not how can 140 be cut-off mark for JAMB? I’m sure very soon they will reduce it to 100 for universities. During our time it was competitive if you can’t score 180 to 200 then you have to wait till next year.

“This is totally wrong. You can’t keep lowering our standard of education so that some people can meet up.

This is the lowest of it all. The federal ministry of education need to review this and work with tertiary institutions in order to uplift the standard and quality of graduates we produce,” he added.
An educationist, Mathew Nyiekaa also blamed the low cut off mark, saying that education is crumbling in Nigeria.

When i was looking for admission – if you no get between 220 – 250 and above forget university – But look at the effect of TikTok, Asuu strike and many other factors –

“The minimum of 140 to enter university is really low. The minimum should at least be 180.”