Every year, thousands of students write the UTME hoping to get into competitive courses in top Nigerian universities.
However, some schools raise their admission standards so high that only students with very high UTME and post-UTME scores stand a real chance.
The 2025 admission cycle is expected to follow the same trend as 2024, where the cut-off marks for courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy reached intense levels.
Some federal universities, in particular, have developed a reputation for setting the highest cut-off marks in the country, and candidates applying to these institutions must be prepared to meet or exceed them.
These high cut-off marks are usually a response to massive competition for limited slots and the universities’ desire to admit only the strongest applicants.
What is the highest cut-off mark recorded in Nigerian universities?
The highest cut-off marks in Nigeria are always recorded in the Medicine and Surgery departments of federal universities.
In 2024, the University of Ibadan (UI) had one of the highest departmental cut-offs for Medicine, which required an average aggregate score above 80%, translating to at least 270 in UTME, assuming strong post-UTME and O’Level performance.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) also demanded a very high cut-off for Medicine, with many successful candidates scoring 280 or more in UTME before even being considered.
At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the merit list for Medicine in 2024 required a total aggregate above 82%, which also means a UTME of around 260–270.
These figures make it clear that any student aiming for Medicine in these top schools must score far above average and have excellent credentials across all required screening areas.
Which universities have the strictest general UTME cut-off for all applicants?
Some universities do not allow any candidate with a UTME score below a fixed minimum to even apply, regardless of the course.
For example, the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan have a strict minimum UTME cut-off of 200.
This means if you score 199, you will not be considered for any course at all in these universities.
The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) follow similar patterns, even though they may allow slightly lower scores for less competitive departments.
These institutions can afford to be this selective because of their reputation, academic history, and the huge number of applications they receive each year.
With limited space and overwhelming demand, they raise the bar to manage the applicant pool and maintain standards.
Which courses in these universities attract the highest cut-off marks?
Medicine always leads as the most competitive course in any Nigerian university, followed closely by Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Engineering.
For Medicine, schools like UI, UNILAG, OAU, and UNN often set departmental cut-off marks that require a UTME score of 270 or higher, especially when the aggregate includes post-UTME scores and O’Level grades.
Law is nearly as competitive in UI and UNILAG, where students need at least 250 in UTME to be eligible, and Engineering is not far behind, especially in universities with strong science and technology departments like FUTA, UNILORIN, and FUTO.
These courses are highly respected and attract the best-performing candidates, which drives the competition and the cut-off marks even higher each year.
Do private universities have high cut-off marks too?
Most private universities in Nigeria set lower UTME cut-off marks compared to federal schools, mainly because they are tuition-driven and aim to admit more students.
However, a few private institutions with strong academic reputations do maintain stricter standards for some courses.
Covenant University, for example, usually requires at least 180 in UTME and often filters students based on internal screening and strict academic grading.
Afe Babalola University and Babcock University also have internal policies that raise the entry bar for Medicine, Law, and other professional courses, even though their JAMB-submitted cut-offs may remain at the national minimum.
Despite this, no private university currently sets cut-off marks as high as federal universities like UI, UNILAG, or OAU.
How should students prepare for universities with high cut-off marks?
To secure admission into any of these top universities, students must not only aim for high UTME scores but also perform well in their post-UTME and have excellent O’Level results.
Most of these institutions calculate an aggregate that combines these three elements, meaning one weak area can cancel out a strong UTME score.
Candidates aiming for Medicine, Law, or Engineering in UI or UNILAG should target a UTME score of 270 or more, supported by five strong O’Level credits in one sitting and a solid post-UTME performance.
It’s not just about passing the cut-off, it’s about standing out in a very competitive crowd where hundreds of candidates have the same or better scores.