In Nigeria, gaining admission into a federal university is often seen as the best option due to lower tuition fees and stronger public reputation.
However, competition for spots at the top schools is fierce, especially in professional courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering.
One key factor that determines a candidate’s eligibility is the UTME score.
While JAMB sets a national minimum UTME score of 140 for admission into universities, not all federal universities accept that low a score.
In fact, many set their own internal minimums higher than what JAMB recommends.
Still, a few federal universities do allow candidates who scored 140 to participate in their post-UTME or screening, depending on the course applied for.
Do all federal universities accept the JAMB minimum of 140?
No, not all of them do. While JAMB has officially pegged the minimum UTME score for universities at 140 for the 2024/2025 academic year, several federal universities maintain a higher threshold for eligibility.
For example, institutions like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the University of Ibadan (UI) require a UTME score of at least 200 for most courses.
Others like the University of Benin (UNIBEN), the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) typically ask for 180.
These universities attract a large number of applicants each year, so they raise their minimum scores to manage the applicant pool and focus on top performers.
That said, there are a few federal universities that keep their minimum score at 140, especially for non-competitive courses.
Which federal universities currently accept 140 cut-off marks?
As of the latest available information from 2024, some federal universities accept 140 as their minimum cut-off mark for certain courses.
These include institutions like Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA), and Federal University of Kashere (FUKASHERE).
These universities generally do not have the same high application volume as schools in Lagos, Ibadan, or Nsukka, and are therefore more open to accepting students with lower UTME scores.
In these schools, courses like Education, Agriculture, and some departments within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences may consider candidates with 140, as long as other requirements such as O’Level subjects and post-UTME scores are met.
Are all courses in these universities open to candidates with 140?
Not all departments in these schools accept 140, even if the university’s general minimum is that low.
For example, in FUDMA, while the general cut-off is 140, more competitive courses like Computer Science, Microbiology, and Accounting may require 150 or higher.
The same pattern applies in FULAFIA, where Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Lab Science usually require 200 or more, even though other departments might accept 140.
What this means is that while a federal university may publicly declare 140 as the official minimum UTME score, only some of the departments will actually admit students with that score.
Applicants must carefully review the departmental cut-off marks before applying.
What types of courses are usually available to students with 140?
Candidates who score 140 in UTME usually have a better chance of being admitted into less competitive courses such as Library and Information Science, Education-related programs, Philosophy, History, Agriculture, Sociology, or Political Science.
These departments generally have lower application numbers, so they are more likely to accept students who meet the basic UTME requirement and perform reasonably well in post-UTME or other screening exercises.
However, even in these fields, admission is not automatic.
A candidate must still meet all other requirements, including relevant O’Level results and completion of the university’s admission process.
Are there advantages to applying to these universities with a 140 score?
Yes, applying to a federal university that accepts 140 gives students who didn’t perform as well in UTME a chance at admission without having to sit for JAMB again.
These universities still offer quality education, approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and they operate under the same federal funding structure as larger universities.
Furthermore, tuition fees are relatively low compared to private schools.
While they may not be as well-known as the first-generation universities, many students from these schools go on to successful careers and even postgraduate studies abroad.
How can candidates improve their chances with a low UTME score?
Students with a UTME score of 140 should aim for courses that are less saturated and ensure their O’Level results are very strong.
In addition, they should prepare seriously for the post-UTME or screening process, as this can help boost their chances significantly.
Also, it’s important to act quickly and apply to schools that publish clear admission guidelines.
When the school’s Post-UTME form is released, candidates should register early and follow instructions carefully.
Sometimes being proactive can make all the difference in admission decisions, especially in schools where applications are processed on a rolling basis.