Official:Post-UTME Scrapped, JAMB Pegs Cut-off Mark at 180

The Federal Government has scrapped the conduct of post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) for candidates seeking admission into higher institution across the country.

Following the decisions arrived at the just concluded 2016 JAMB Combined Policy Meeting on Admissions to Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria, the 2016 official cut-off mark has been pegged at 180 for Universities, Polytechnic and Colleges of Education.

This implies that no higher institution; universities, polytechnics, colleges of education or certificate awarding institutions recognized by JAMB will go below 180. However, they can choose to go above the benchmark of 180.

Similarly, the decision to scrap post-UTME was taken. This means that institutions will no longer conduct Post-UTME screenings.

According to the minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, there is confidence in what JAMB is doing and hence no need to conduct another examination for candidates seeking admission into higher institutions.

He further stated that universities that have complaints against JAMB should bring it forward for address.

However, the minister directed JAMB to stop demanding extra charges on other services rendered by the board to candidates which include change of course/institution.

Here are the words of the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde after the meeting, “180 is given, no institution will go below 180 this year, And some universities can go above it, I know University of Ife will not go below 200 and University of Lagos will not go below 200 and also UI. All these ones stand but 180 as bench mark for others.

“This year we have more than enough candidates, we have over 1.5 million candidates so we will get enough candidates to take in all the schools if they are serious. Re-distribution is already ongoing, because it is embedded in the registration procedure.”