Top 20 universities in Nigeria recognised by JAMB

In the last 30 years, there has been an increased desire by Nigerians to acquire a university education. Year after year, millions of potential students undergo the rigorous process of seeking admission to ensure they gain admission into a university recognised by JAMB.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a government agency in Nigeria that is responsible for administering the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The UTME is a standardised examination that is required for admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

Table of Content hide 1Top 20 universities in Nigeria that are recognized by JAMB 1.1University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) 1.2University of Ibadan (UI) 1.3University of Lagos (UNILAG) 1.4Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 1.5Covenant University (CU) 1.6University of Nigeria (UNN) 1.7University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) 1.8Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) 1.9Landmark University 1.10Ahmadu Bello University 1.11Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna 1.12Bayero University, Kano (BUK) 1.13University of Benin 1.14Ekiti State University 1.15University of Calabar 1.16University of Uyo 1.17Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU) 1.18Nnamdi Azikiwe University 1.19University of Ilorin 1.20Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Top 20 universities in Nigeria that are recognized by JAMB

University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)

A candidate must attain the UNIABUJA JAMB cut-off mark in the UTME to be considered for admission into the University of Abuja. 

Candidates that received a JAMB UTME score of 180 or higher are admitted to the University of Abuja for the 2022/2023 academic year.

University of Ibadan (UI)

The cut-off mark of the University of Ibadan in the UTME is 200. Applicants must have selected the University of Ibadan as their first option in their JAMB application form.

Additionally, candidates must have earned a minimum of five credits in the O’Level subjects relevant to their preferred courses, including English and Mathematics.

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University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Candidates who selected the University of Lagos as their top school in their JAMB form must have attained a score of 200 in the UTME. Additionally, applicants must have earned five (5) credit passes in one sitting in pertinent O/level subjects, including English language and mathematics. 

The 200-point cut-off mark applies to all degree programmes in the university.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

The Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly the University of Ife) is a Federal Government-owned university, just like the aforementioned institutions.

Only applicants who selected OAU as their top choice in their JAMB form and scored a total of 200 or higher in the UTME are considered to write the institution’s post-UTME.

Covenant University (CU)

Covenant University is the first private university on this list. Located in the Ota area of Ogun State, this private Christian university offers a broad range of courses to prospective students.

Candidates can apply for admission to any of their preferred courses if they received a minimum score of 180 in the UTME. They must also have earned a minimum of five credits in the O’Level subjects relevant to their preferred courses, including English

University of Nigeria (UNN)

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is the second university established in Nigeria and the first full-fledged indigenous in the country. The university offers 108 undergraduate programs and 211 postgraduate programmes.

With four campuses spread across Nsukka, Enugu, Ituku-Ozalla and Aba, UNN is one of the largest university campuses in the country. The general cutoff mark for admission to UNN for the 2022–2023 academic year is 160. 

University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

The University of Port Harcourt is located in the Choba axis of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Established in 1975, it gained university status in 1977.

To be eligible to write the post-UTME and eventually gain admission into this university, an applicant must score not less than 180 in the UTME, which is the institution’s cut-off mark.

Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)

The Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) is a specialised university which focuses on producing graduates with practical and theoretical knowledge of technologies. The school runs pre-degree science programs, short-term courses, and undergraduate, post-graduate and Advanced Basic Science programmes.

FUTA’s general cutoff mark for all courses for the 2022–2023 academic year is 180. 

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Landmark University

Another private university makes the list. Landmark University is a private Christian university run by the Living Faith Church Worldwide, the operator of Covenant University.

The UTME cut-off mark of the university is 180. Candidates that do not meet the cut-off mark will not be able to get admission into the university.

Ahmadu Bello University

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is one of the prominent universities in Nigeria. It is the pioneer university in northern Nigeria and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Candidates aiming to attend this university are expected to attain a score of at least 180 in their UTME and must choose the institution as their first choice on their JAMB form.

Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna

The Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna is one of the specialised universities in the country which has the development of science and technology as its focal point.

The cut-off mark of the university is between 160-180, depending on the department.

Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

Initially established as a College of Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Kano, gained status as a full-fledged university in 1977.

Bayero University (BUK) has set a minimum point requirement of 180 for the 2022–2023 academic year.

University of Benin

Established in 1970, the University of Benin is the top-tier university in Nigeria’s South-South region. It has two campuses with 15 faculties.

UNIBEN has an overall cut-off mark of 200, but individual cut-off marks of 215 for pharmacy, 205 for law, and 220 for medicine. The cut-off mark rises in proportion to how competitive the course is. 

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Ekiti State University

The Ekiti State University is a university which is owned by the Ekiti State government. It is, perhaps, the only university in Nigeria that has had its name changed four times.

Candidates that attain a UTME score of 160 or higher are admitted to Ekiti State University (EKSU). Law, nursing, and medicine (MBBS) require minimum UTME scores of 240, 220, and 250, respectively. 

University of Calabar

The University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria until 1975. It is one of Nigeria’s second-generation federal universities

UNICAL’s cutoff score for the 2022–2023 academic year is 180. 

University of Uyo

Located in the heart of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the University of Uyo operates from four campuses.

The cutoff mark for admission to the University of Uyo is 180 for the 2022–2023 academic year.

Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU)

Adekunle Ajasin University is the premier state university of the Ondo State government. The university is located in the Akungba Akoko area of the state.

Candidates that meet the university’s cut-off mark of 180 are eligible for the university’s screening and POST-UTME test.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nnamdi Azikiwe University is a federal university in Nigeria. It consists of two campuses: Its main campus is in Awka and its other campus is in Nnewi, both in Anambra State.

The minimum cut-off mark for UNIZIK is 160.

University of Ilorin

The University of Ilorin began as a university college affiliated with the University of Ibadan. It became a full-fledged university in 1977.

The cut-off mark for candidates aspiring to be admitted into UNILORIN is 180.

Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Just like the aforementioned FUTA and FUT Minna, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), is a specialised university with key competencies in science and technology.

For the 2022–2023 academic year, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) cutoff mark is 180.

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