Nigeria’s 2026/2027 tertiary admissions process is set to begin in earnest as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed May 11 for its annual policy meeting to determine minimum UTME cut-off marks.

The development was disclosed by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, signalling the start of key decisions that will shape admissions into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.

The meeting will take place at the Body of Benchers Auditorium within the Institute and Research District in Abuja. It will bring together major stakeholders across Nigeria’s education sector.

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, is expected to outline policy directions guiding the upcoming admission exercise.

According to JAMB, the annual policy meeting remains a critical platform where stakeholders agree on minimum acceptable UTME scores, admission guidelines and regulatory frameworks for tertiary institutions.

Participants will include vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars and admission officers. Key regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) are also expected to attend.

The meeting will feature goodwill messages from agencies including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the National Youth Service Corps.

In addition to policy deliberations, the event will host the sixth edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards, designed to promote compliance with admission guidelines and improve standards across the system.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to provide clarity on admission benchmarks and reinforce rules governing placements into higher institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.