Latest Cut Off Mark for Nursing in Nigeria 2026/2027

Cut Off Mark for Nursing: If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just finished writing JAMB, or you’re preparing for it, and nursing is the course you’ve set your heart on.

Maybe someone told you the cut-off mark is 200, another person said 180, and now you’re confused about what to believe. I get it — the information out there is scattered, and some of it is dangerously outdated.

Let me break everything down for you clearly, the way someone who actually understands how Nigerian university admissions work would explain it to a younger sibling.

First, Let’s Clear Up the Confusion About Cut Off Marks

There is no single cut-off mark for nursing in Nigeria. This is the first thing you need to understand.

What exists is a layered system — JAMB sets a national minimum, then each university sets its own departmental cut-off, and then there’s the post-UTME screening that further filters candidates.

So when someone tells you “the cut-off mark for nursing is 200,” they’re only telling you part of the story.

Let’s break each layer down.

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Nursing 2026/2027

For the 2026/2027 academic session, JAMB’s national minimum cut-off mark for nursing across Nigerian universities sits at 180. This is the general benchmark JAMB announced for most courses in federal universities following their cut-off mark policy meetings.

However — and this is important — scoring 180 does not mean you will study nursing. It means you are eligible to apply. There’s a big difference.

For nursing specifically, which is one of the most competitive courses in any Nigerian university, the realistic competitive score starts from 220 upward in most schools. Some of the more competitive universities won’t even look at your file if you’re below 240.

For polytechnics and state universities where nursing is offered, the JAMB benchmark can be slightly lower — sometimes around 160 to 170 — but the departmental cut-offs still apply.

Departmental Cut Off Marks for Nursing by University (2026/2027)

This is where it gets serious. Different schools have different expectations, and the cut-off marks below reflect the realistic scores you need to stand a competitive chance — not just the minimum to apply.

University of Lagos (UNILAG) UNILAG’s nursing programme is one of the most sought-after in the country. The departmental cut-off mark for nursing here typically falls between 250 and 260. If you’re below 250, your chances are significantly reduced. UNILAG is not a school where you want to go in on hope alone.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has a very strong nursing programme and a large student population competing for limited spots. The realistic cut-off here is around 230 to 250. Anything below 230 and you’re entering post-UTME on shaky ground.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is selective, and the nursing programme there maintains high standards. Expect a competitive cut-off in the range of 240 to 250. OAU’s post-UTME screening also weighs heavily, so your JAMB score isn’t the only thing that matters here.

University of Benin (UNIBEN) UNIBEN is one of the foremost universities for health science courses in Nigeria. Nursing cut-off at UNIBEN sits around 220 to 240 for competitive consideration. They run a rigorous post-UTME, so a high JAMB score gives you a better buffer.

Bayero University Kano (BUK) offers nursing, and the cut-off tends to be a bit lower than the southern universities due to catchment area policies, typically around 180 to 200 for competitive admission. However, the state of origin and catchment area status still play a role.

University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) UNIPORT’s nursing programme has a cut-off that generally falls between 200 and 230. It’s competitive but slightly more accessible than UNILAG or OAU.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is one of the top universities for nursing in northern Nigeria. The cut-off typically ranges from 180 to 210, with catchment area and educationally less developed states (EDS) status potentially giving some candidates a lower benchmark.

Lagos State University (LASU), being a state university, offers slightly different dynamics. Nursing cut off here is around 200 to 220, but Lagos State indigenes may have a slight advantage in processing.

Niger Delta University (NDU) offers nursing, and as a state university, the cut-off is relatively moderate — around 160 to 180 — but competition among local candidates is fierce.

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Post-UTME and Screening — The Second Battle

Here’s the thing many students overlook: even if you hit the right JAMB score, most universities with strong nursing programmes don’t admit based on JAMB alone. Post-UTME screening is where many qualified candidates get knocked out.

The post-UTME for nursing at most universities covers subjects like English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and sometimes Physics. The questions are not always as hard as JAMB, but the competition is tight because everyone sitting for that exam already has a decent JAMB score.

Some universities like OAU and UNILAG use a combined aggregate of your JAMB score and post-UTME score, sometimes with O-level results factored in. So you could score 260 in JAMB and still miss out if your post-UTME performance is poor.

For schools that use aggregate scoring, here’s a rough idea of how it typically works:

JAMB score usually carries about 60% of the weight, post-UTME carries around 30 to 40%, and in some schools, O-level results contribute the remaining percentage. Always check each school’s specific formula because they do differ.

O-Level Requirements for Nursing in Nigeria

While JAMB cut-off marks get all the attention, your O-level results — whether WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB — are equally critical. For nursing in Nigeria, most universities require a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects obtained in not more than two sittings.

The core subjects you need credits in are:

English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Some schools also accept Agricultural Science or Health Science in place of Physics, but this is school-dependent. Always verify with the specific institution before making assumptions.

A common mistake students make is getting a credit in all subjects but not in Biology or Chemistry specifically — those two are non-negotiable for nursing in virtually every Nigerian university.

Also note that some of the more competitive universities insist on obtaining these credits in one sitting. UNILAG, for instance, has been known to enforce the one-sitting requirement. If you have results from two sittings, confirm the school’s policy before applying.

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Direct Entry Cut-Off Mark for Nursing

If you’re applying through Direct Entry — meaning you already have an ND, HND, or A-levels — the process is a bit different.

JAMB’s minimum for Direct Entry across most programmes is a pass in UTME or relevant A-level results, but nursing is one of those courses where not every university accepts Direct Entry. Those that do typically require Science A-levels in Biology and Chemistry at a minimum.

The cut-off for Direct Entry nursing admissions at federal universities is generally competitive, and the spaces available are far fewer than through UTME. If this applies to you, reach out to the admissions office of the specific university you’re targeting.

Schools That Offer Nursing in Nigeria (Accredited)

Not every school that claims to offer nursing is fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which is the regulatory body for nursing education in the country. Before putting down any school as your first or second choice, verify that it is NMCN-accredited.

Some of the well-known accredited schools include the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, OAU Ile-Ife, UNIBEN, ABU Zaria, UNIPORT, Bayero University, Kano, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Ebonyi State University, and Madonna University.

There are also College of Nursing and Midwifery programmes run by state governments, which operate differently from university programmes but are also regulated by NMCN. These have their own separate entrance examinations.

The Realistic Picture: What Score Do You Actually Need?

Let’s be straight with you. If you want to study nursing in any of Nigeria’s top federal universities — the ones with the strongest programmes and the most recognised degrees — you should be targeting a JAMB score of 240 and above.

Anything between 220 and 239 is workable, but you’ll be banking heavily on your post-UTME performance and O-level results to carry you through.

If your score falls between 180 and 219, your best bet is to look at state universities or private universities with accredited nursing programmes. There’s no shame in that — a nursing degree from a legitimate, NMCN-accredited institution is what matters for licensure and practice, not just the name of the university.

Below 180 and you’ll need to either rewrite JAMB, consider a related programme like Public Health or Medical Laboratory Science while planning to top up, or look into school of nursing programmes run by government hospitals, which have their own entrance exams and are separate from university admissions entirely.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Admission into Nursing

Take your post-UTME preparation seriously. A lot of candidates relax after JAMB, thinking the hard part is over. The post-UTME is where nursing admissions are won or lost at most schools.

Choose your institution wisely. If your score is around 220, applying to UNILAG as your first choice is setting yourself up for disappointment. Pick a school where your score is genuinely competitive.

Don’t wait to sort out your O-level results. If you’re missing a subject or have a D7 where you need a C6, address that immediately. Some schools will screen you out at the O-level verification stage, no matter how high your JAMB score is.

Apply to schools in your catchment area. Federal universities give admission slots to candidates from their catchment states. If OAU is in your catchment area, your chances are better there than at a school where you’re competing purely on merit from outside.

Consider the School of Nursing as a parallel path. State government-owned Schools of Nursing and Midwifery run separate entrance exams and have their own admission processes. They produce Registered Nurses who can practice and even pursue degree upgrades later. Many working nurses in Nigeria today started through this route.

Final Word

The cut-off mark for nursing in Nigeria in 2026/2027 is not a single number — it’s a range that depends on which university you’re applying to, your O-level results, and how well you perform at post-UTME. JAMB’s national minimum of 180 is just the door; the actual competition starts well beyond that.

Study hard, choose your school strategically, prepare thoroughly for the post-UTME, and ensure your O-level results are solid. Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers you can build in Nigeria — the rigour of getting in is worth it.

Good luck.

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