May 11 could be one of the most important days for millions of Nigerian students and parents this year. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is holding its 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions on Monday, May 11, 2026, and the decisions that come out of it will shape the entire 2026/2027 tertiary admission cycle.
The meeting will take place at the Body of Benchers Auditorium, Plot 688, Institute and Research District, FCC Phase III, Jabi, Abuja, starting at 10:00 AM. JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the details in an official statement released ahead of the event.
What Will Be Decided
The most anticipated outcome of the meeting is the announcement of the minimum UTME cut-off marks for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the 2026/2027 academic session. No Nigerian tertiary institution, whether federal, state, or private, is permitted to announce departmental cut-offs or begin the 2026/2027 admission exercise until this meeting concludes.
In 2024, JAMB approved 140 as the minimum cut-off mark for universities, while polytechnics and colleges of education were set at 100. In 2025, the board raised the university minimum to 150, with polytechnics and colleges of education remaining at 100, and colleges of nursing sciences pegged at 140. What the 2026 figures will be remains to be seen, and candidates are advised to ignore any “official” cut-off marks currently circulating on social media, as the only valid benchmarks will be those announced after the May 11 meeting.
Beyond the cut-off marks, the meeting will also review the overall performance of candidates in the 2026 UTME, set admission guidelines that all institutions must follow, evaluate the 2025 admission exercise, and formally kick off the 2026/2027 admissions season. Over 2.2 million candidates registered for this year’s UTME, which was held between April 16 and April 25, 2026.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is expected to unveil major policy directions at the event. As JAMB stated in its official release, “The Board’s annual policy meeting on admissions is a crucial annual gathering where stakeholders decide minimum tolerable UTME marks, admission guidelines, and policies for tertiary institutions. Furthermore, the meeting is expected to, in particular, formally set the tone for the 2026/2027 admission exercise while impressing on attendees the need to adhere strictly to stipulated guidelines.”
Who Is Attending
The meeting brings together the most important voices in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. Participants include vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars, and admissions officers, alongside regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Goodwill messages are also expected from agencies including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Other Key Highlights
Also on the agenda is the 6th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards (NATAP-M). The awards recognise institutions that have demonstrated consistency and integrity in adhering to admission guidelines, contributing to the overall improvement of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Following the May 11 meeting, several important updates will also be unlocked for candidates. JAMB’s Change of Course and Change of Institution forms will become available, original JAMB result slips will be accessible for printing, and the Direct Entry registration window, which has been extended to May 22, 2026, will continue running.
For the millions of candidates currently waiting to begin their admission journey, May 11 is the green light. Stay tuned to The Students Forum Nigeria for updates as announcements are made.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
