Private universities in Nigeria operate differently from federal institutions when it comes to admission cut-off marks.
While JAMB sets a general minimum score of 140 for all universities, private schools are free to set higher benchmarks.
These schools rely on students’ fees and therefore balance inclusivity with quality.
As the 2025 session approaches, top private institutions have confirmed or hinted at their cut-off requirements some sticking with the 140 baselines, others demanding higher scores depending on course competitiveness.
What is the national minimum UTME mark for private universities?
As of 2024, JAMB officially lowered the national minimum UTME cut-off for admission into universities to 140 .
Private universities can adhere to this minimum, but many opt for higher scores.
Institutions like Covenant, Babcock, ABUAD, and Madonna enforce stricter requirements than the bare minimum, based on their brand, program demand, and screening processes.
Which private universities maintain the 140 JAMB cut-off?
A wide range of private universities stick with the 140 UTME baseline for entry.
These include Covenant for most non-competitive courses, Babcock University, Afe Babalola University of Medical Sciences (ABMS), Bowen University, Igbinedion University, Madonna University, Bells University, Redeemer’s University, Ajayi Crowther University, Al-Hikmah University, among many others.
Choosing these schools keeps options open and provides viable paths into university for those who meet the national minimum.
Which private universities require UTME scores above 150?
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) stands out among private institutions by setting a cut-off of 180 UTME.
ABUAD uses this higher mark to maintain academic standards across its faculties, especially in Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Sciences, where they also monitor candidate aggregates during post-UTME screening .
What is Covenant University’s 2025 cut-off mark?
Covenant University, Nigeria’s top-ranked private university, typically requires a minimum of 180 UTME for eligibility.
Beyond this, competitive departments such as Engineering, Accounting, Computer Science, and Mass Communication expect strong internal aggregates combining UTME, post-UTME, and O’Level results.
Historically, Covenant uses a 50/50 split between UTME and post-UTME, expecting candidates to score at least 60% overall to secure admission into these highly sought-after programs.
How do departmental cut-off marks influence admission?
At institutions like ABUAD, Medicine may demand a minimum 260 UTME, while Law may require a 240 UTME.
Though the baseline is 180, professional courses enforce significantly higher thresholds.
Similarly, Covenant’s Medicine or Engineering programs may demand higher aggregates even if the school-wide cut-off is 180.
These department-level requirements align with competitive program demand and internal capacity.
Do private universities require screening beyond UTME?
Yes. Even schools with a 140 UTME benchmark rely heavily on post‑UTME screening, O’Level results, and sometimes interviews or writing assessments.
Covenant, ABUAD, and similar institutions place great emphasis on multi-stage evaluation processes to verify academic readiness.
At Covenant, achieving the initial UTME cut-off does not guarantee admission; candidates must score aggregate marks above defined departmental levels .
How do private universities compare to federal schools in cut-off trends?
Unlike federal schools that may require 200 UTME to apply even for lower-demand courses, private universities typically start with lower thresholds and layer quality through internal screening .
Their flexibility allows students with average UTME scores to gain entry while still maintaining high academic standards.
Students aiming for competitive programmes, however, must still achieve UTME scores above 180–200 and perform well in added evaluation stages.
What does this mean for 2025 UTME candidates?
If your UTME score is between 140 and 160, you can apply to numerous private universities, especially for less competitive courses.
With scores between 180 and 200, your chances improve for respected institutions like Covenant, ABUAD, and Babcock, and for stronger departments.
Scoring above 200 UTME positions you competitively, even for premium professional courses.
Ultimately, your success depends on not just UTME marks, but post‑UTME performance, O’Level quality, and proper documentation.