Schools That Will Accept Your Low JAMB Score for 2025/2026 Admission

Last updated April 2026

You checked your JAMB result and the score wasn't what you hoped for. Maybe you got 150, 160, or somewhere in the 170s. Right now, it feels like the door to university just slammed shut in your face. We understand that feeling, and we want to tell you something important before you give up:

You are not alone, and your options are not finished.

Low JAMB Score? These Schools Will Still Accept You 2025/2026 Admission

According to official JAMB data, a staggering 70.7% of candidates who sat the 2025 UTME that's over 1.3 million students scored below 200. The majority of students writing JAMB every year fall into this category. The difference between those who eventually gain admission and those who don't is not always the score. It is the information they have and the choices they make with it.

This post gives you that information. We've put together a comprehensive list of Nigerian universities federal, state, and private that accept lower JAMB scores for the 2025/2026 admission cycle. We've also included the courses most likely to accept you based on your score range, and practical steps to take right now.

First: Understand What the Cut-Off Mark Actually Means

Before we dive into the list, let's clear up a common confusion. There are two types of cut-off marks in Nigerian university admissions, and mixing them up can cost you dearly.

The JAMB National Minimum Cut-Off is the baseline score set by JAMB at its annual policy meeting. For the 2026 admission cycle, this minimum was officially set at 150 for federal and state universities, 150 for private universities, and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. No university is allowed to admit candidates below this national threshold.

The Institutional Cut-Off Mark is what each individual university sets for itself, based on the number of applicants, available spaces, and the competitiveness of specific courses. A university might set its general cut-off at 160 but require 250 for Medicine and 160 for Education. These departmental differences are real and they matter.

So when you see that a school "accepts 150," it does not mean every course in that school accepts 150. Some departments within the same university may require 200 or more. Always check the specific cut-off for your course, not just the general institutional cut-off.

With that understanding in place, let's get into the schools.

Federal Universities That Accept Lower JAMB Scores

Federal universities in Nigeria are generally more competitive than state and private schools, but there are several federal institutions especially in the North that have maintained lower and more flexible cut-off marks for years. Here are the most notable ones.

1. Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD)

FUD is one of the most accessible federal universities for students with lower JAMB scores. Many of its courses particularly in Arts, Agriculture, Education, and Management Sciences admit candidates with scores from 150. It is a good-quality institution with a growing reputation, and the lower competition means your chances of admission are significantly higher here than in a more established southern university.

2. Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State (FUBK)

FUBK is another federal university that has consistently shown flexibility in its admission cut-offs. Courses like Sociology, Languages, and History are particularly open to candidates in the 140–160 range. Being a newer federal university, the competition is lower and the admission process less daunting.

3. Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State (FUGUS)

FUGUS has admitted students with scores as low as 150 in some departments, especially in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Education faculties. It is a legitimate federal institution and a degree from here carries the same national recognition as one from any other federal university in the country.

4. Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State (POLAC)

The Nigerian Police Academy has a minimum cut-off of 180 for all courses, which is lower than many southern federal universities. If you're interested in a career in law enforcement or security studies, POLAC offers courses in Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences, and Management — and the environment is structured and disciplined.

5. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)

FUTA accepts candidates with scores from 180 for many of its faculties, including Life Sciences, Agriculture, Social Sciences, and Arts. While it is a well-established technology institution, some of its non-engineering departments remain accessible to students with mid-range scores.

State Universities That Accept Lower JAMB Scores

State universities have generally been more flexible than federal schools, especially for students within the state where the institution is located. Here are some of the most accessible ones.

6. Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG)

BASUG is one of the most welcoming public universities in Nigeria for students with lower scores. It accepts candidates from 140 in departments like Education, Sociology, and Agricultural Science. If you're from the North-East or willing to study there, BASUG is a genuinely solid option.

7. Sokoto State University (SSU)

SSU accepts candidates with scores from 140, particularly in courses like Political Science, History, and Education. It is a government-owned institution that has built a reputation for being inclusive and straightforward in its admission process.

8. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA)

Despite its science-focused name, KSUSTA also offers Social Science and Management courses and accepts JAMB scores from 140 depending on the department. Students interested in Agriculture, Technology, and related fields will find KSUSTA a reasonable option.

9. Adamawa State University, Mubi (ADSU)

ADSU is widely known for accepting candidates with scores from 140. Departments in Education, Sociology, and Business Administration are particularly accessible. The university is government-owned and its degrees are fully accredited.

10. Taraba State University (TASU)

TASU accepts students with scores as low as 140 in courses like Education, Public Administration, and Library Science. It is one of the more popular options for students in the North-East who need a state university with flexible admission requirements.

11. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State (AAU)

AAU is one of the more well-known state universities in southern Nigeria with a relatively low cut-off. It accepts candidates from 140 in several departments and has a good academic reputation. If you're from Edo State or the South-South region, this is worth looking into seriously.

12. Delta State University (DELSU)

DELSU has consistently maintained lower cut-off marks compared to many southern federal universities. Several departments in Arts, Social Sciences, and Education admit candidates with scores in the 150–160 range. It is a reputable institution with full NUC accreditation.

13. Bayero University Kano (BUK)

BUK is one of the most prominent universities in the North, and it accepts candidates with a minimum of 160 for many of its courses. For a university of BUK's size, academic history, and research output, a cut-off of 160 is genuinely accessible. Courses in Arts, Islamic Studies, Education, and Social Sciences are particularly open.

14. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)

ABU is one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, and while competitive courses like Medicine and Law require much higher scores, several of its departments particularly in Education, Agriculture, and Social Sciences remain within reach for students in the 160–180 range.

15. University of Calabar (UNICAL)

UNICAL's general cut-off sits between 180 and 190, which is still lower than many southern federal universities. It offers courses in Arts, Social Sciences, Education, and Law, and is known for its relatively flexible admission process and diverse academic programmes.

Private Universities That Accept Low JAMB Scores

If you are open to attending a private university, your options multiply significantly. Private institutions in Nigeria generally have more flexible admission requirements and are often willing to admit candidates with lower scores as long as the student meets O'Level requirements.

16. Lead City University, Ibadan

Lead City is one of the most popular private universities in Nigeria and accepts candidates with scores from 150–160 for many of its courses, including Law, Business Administration, Mass Communication, and Social Sciences.

17. Madonna University, Okija

Madonna University accepts candidates from 150 and above across a wide range of courses including Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering. It is popular, NUC-accredited, and well-regarded for its discipline and academic standards.

18. Igbinedion University, Okada

Igbinedion University accepts candidates from 150–160 and offers courses in Medicine, Medical Sciences, Law, and several others. It is one of the oldest private universities in Nigeria and has a well-established academic structure.

19. Gregory University, Uturu

Gregory University is particularly flexible with its admission requirements, accepting candidates across a wide score range. It is a growing institution located in Abia State, offering courses in Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities.

Courses That Accept Lower Scores (Across Most Universities)

Regardless of which institution you choose, the following courses consistently have lower departmental cut-off marks across Nigerian universities. If you're flexible about your course of study, these give you the best shot at admission with a lower score:

• Education (any subject combination — most open category)
• Agricultural Science
• History and International Studies
• Sociology
• Political Science
• Library and Information Science
• Public Administration
• Linguistics
• Religious Studies / Islamic Studies
• Geography
• Marketing
• Business Administration (in state/private universities)

Courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture remain competitive almost everywhere and will typically require scores of 200 and above even in less competitive schools.

What to Do Right Now — Practical Next Steps

Knowing the schools is only the first step. Here is what you should be doing immediately.

Step 1: Log in to JAMB CAPS

Visit efacility.jamb.gov.ng and log in to your profile. Check your current institution and course choice. If your score falls below the cut-off for what you originally chose, you need to make a change before the admission process moves further.

Step 2: Apply for Change of Institution or Course

JAMB allows you to change your institution or course through the CAPS portal at a fee of ₦2,500. Use this opportunity to switch to a school and course where your score is competitive. Do not wait the earlier you act, the better your chances.

Step 3: Upload Your O'Level Results

Make sure all your O'Level results are uploaded to CAPS. Many students lose admission slots not because of their JAMB score but because their results are missing from the system.

Step 4: Apply for Post-UTME

Once you identify a school that accepts your score, monitor that school's official website or social media pages for Post-UTME announcements. Purchase the form as soon as it is released and prepare well for the screening. A strong Post-UTME performance can compensate significantly for a lower JAMB score in many institutions.

Step 5: Consider JUPEB or IJMB as a Backup

If university admission this cycle doesn't work out, don't wait a full year doing nothing. Enroll in a JUPEB or IJMB programme. These are A-Level equivalent programmes that run for 9 to 12 months and qualify you for Direct Entry admission into 200 level in almost any Nigerian university without writing JAMB again.

Final Word

A low JAMB score is not a life sentence. It is a challenge that, with the right information and quick action, you can absolutely work around. Thousands of students who scored 150, 160, or 170 in previous years are today studying at reputable Nigerian universities some of them in the very institutions listed in this guide.

The most important thing right now is that you act fast, stay informed, and don't make emotional decisions. Study this list, talk to your parents or guardians, pick the best option available to you, and give that Post-UTME everything you have.

Have questions about any of these schools or your admission options? Drop them in the comments section below we respond to every comment. And please share this post with a fellow student who needs this information right now.

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