JAMB’s decision to fix the 2026 university cut-off mark at 150 has sparked serious debate across Nigeria. For many students and parents, the news came as a relief after an exam season filled with complaints about technical issues and failed biometric verification. But for others, it feels like the country is accepting lower standards instead of fixing deeper problems in the education system.
What JAMB said
After its 2026 policy meeting in Abuja, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced that the minimum score for admission into universities and nursing colleges would be 150. Polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture were given a minimum benchmark of 100.
JAMB also explained that the score is only a national minimum. Universities still have the right to set higher cut-off marks for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering. This means schools such as Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Lagos and University of Ibadan can still demand scores far above 150.
The board also kept 16 years as the minimum admission age and said all admissions must go through the CAPS platform before they can be considered valid.
What Orezi said
Nigerian singer Orezi was one of the first celebrities to react publicly to the announcement. In a social media post, he questioned whether the country’s education system was declining. Orezi said when he wrote JAMB years ago, he scored 224 and still struggled to gain admission into the University of Lagos. According to him, getting into university used to require serious reading and preparation.
He argued that today’s students are being given things too easily and said a 150 cut-off mark is simply too low. His comments quickly went viral and divided opinions online. Some Nigerians agreed with him, saying the country is gradually lowering its educational standards. Others felt he was being unfair to students facing a very different system today.
What Opeyemi Famakin said
Food critic Opeyemi Famakin also shared his concerns in a video reacting to the new benchmark. He questioned what it means for the future of education and employment if students with low scores are admitted into universities. He referred to comments previously made about graduates being unemployable and wondered how lowering admission standards would improve the situation.
Famakin also shared a troubling story about alleged medical negligence involving a friend’s wife to explain why he worries about competence in critical professions. According to him, Nigeria already struggles with poor systems and lack of accountability, and lowering academic standards may make things worse.
He added that university education is not the only path to success. In his view, people who are not academically strong can still learn skills or trades and build successful careers outside the classroom.
What Nigerians are saying
Beyond celebrity reactions, the debate has exposed deep generational differences in how Nigerians view education and opportunity. Many older Nigerians believe the new benchmark is too low. Some parents and graduates say students who score less than 40 percent should not qualify for university admission. They fear the decision could encourage poor reading habits and reduce the quality of graduates in the future.
Another group believes students should not celebrate too early. According to them, the 150 score may only work for less competitive schools and courses. They argue that top universities will still ask for much higher marks, especially for courses like Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law.
Younger Nigerians, however, have defended the new cut-off mark. Many students complained about technical issues during the 2026 UTME, including computers shutting down during exams and problems with biometric verification. Some argued that the lower benchmark is necessary because many candidates were affected by challenges beyond their control.
There are also Nigerians who believe the decision is more about keeping admissions active in private schools and less competitive institutions. According to this view, lowering the benchmark means more candidates remain eligible to buy admission forms and pay school fees.
Conclusion
The debate over JAMB’s 150 cut-off mark goes beyond numbers. It reflects a bigger concern about the state of education in Nigeria and the struggle to balance access with quality.
For some people, the lower benchmark is a practical decision in a difficult year. For others, it feels like the country is accepting lower standards instead of fixing deeper problems in the education system.
What is clear is that a 150 score may only open the first door. Students seeking admission into competitive universities and courses will still face tough screening processes like the Post-UTME and higher requirements.
In the end, Nigerians remain divided. Some see the decision as a second chance for struggling students, while others see it as a warning sign for the future of academic excellence in the country.
