Ahead of the 2024 policy meeting, four Nigerian universities that submitted their benchmark scores for admissions are prohibited by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board from accepting candidates who scored below 200 in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
This information was by The PUNCH after its findings.
The UTME, organized by JAMB, remains the sole examination recognized for entry into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Although some institutions may conduct post-UTME screenings for prospective students, no candidate can gain admission without a JAMB-verified UTME result.
The UTME typically includes four subject combinations, each scored out of 100, resulting in a maximum score of 400.
While students have the freedom to select subject combinations relevant to their intended course of study, English language remains a mandatory subject for all candidates seeking admission into Nigeria’s higher education system.
At the 2024 policy meeting, the minimum benchmark score for university admissions was set at 140. However, JAMB clarified that while universities have the autonomy to determine their own benchmark scores, they must not admit any candidate who scored below the prescribed 140 marks.
A document obtained by The PUNCH reveals that 153 universities submitted their benchmark scores for admissions, with eight institutions setting their minimum at 120.
Due to JAMB’s regulations, these universities must increase their minimum score to 140 before admitting students.
Further analysis indicates that 11 institutions, including Pan-Atlantic University, which set a minimum score of 220, cannot admit candidates who scored below 220. Similarly, Covenant University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos which set their benchmark at 200, are barred from admitting students who scored less than 200.
Additional institutions with a benchmark of 180 include Afe Babalola University, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Nigerian Police Academy, Nigerian University of Technology, and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun.
These universities are likewise required to adhere to their self-imposed minimum score of 180 in compliance with JAMB’s directive.
The announcement of the minimum benchmark score has sparked controversy.
Speaking on the incident, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, emphasized that while the general benchmark score for admission is 140, institutions like the University of Lagos, which set their benchmark at 200, cannot admit candidates who scored below this threshold.
“Unilag isn’t even allowed to admit 199. They can’t admit lesser than 200 because that is what they submitted. The general benchmark is 140, which means no university can admit below that score; they can’t admit 120, 130. Also, you can’t admit below what you submitted as your benchmark. So Unilag can’t even admit 199,” Benjamin stated.
