Every year, thousands of Nigerian students write the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination with the hope of securing admission into Nigerian universities. But unfortunately, not everyone scores 250, 220, or even 200. A good number of candidates fall between 150 and 180, and many of them lose hope, believing that admission is no longer possible.The truth is you can still gain admission with 150–180. In fact, several Nigerian universities—federal, state, and private—accept this score range. What matters is choosing the right institution, the right course, and understanding how the admission system works.This comprehensive article provides 12 universities that accept 150–180, explains their admission policies, shows you how to boost your chances, and gives you additional alternatives such as polytechnics and Colleges of Education. It is a complete guide for students who scored low in JAMB but still wish to pursue higher education.Let’s begin with the list of universities that accept lower JAMB scores.
Even though many top-tier federal universities use 200+ as their cut-off, some universities—especially state, federal catchment universities, community-based institutions, and some private schools—set lower cut-off marks.Below are 12 universities that accept 150–180 JAMB score, plus their admission style, recommended courses for low scores, and tips to improve your chances.
Cut-off range: 150–180 (course-dependent)The University of Calabar is among the federal universities that do not fix extremely high cut-off marks for all courses. Although competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Pharmacy require 200–250+, UNICAL typically sets 150–180 as the general eligibility mark for Post-UTME.
If you score between 150 and 180, UNICAL remains one of the most realistic options to gain admission.
Cut-off range: 150–170FUDMA is known for maintaining moderate cut-off marks that allow more candidates to apply. Most courses accept 150, except competitive ones like Accounting and Economics which may require 160–170.
If your score is 150–165, FUDMA is a strong option.
Cut-off range: 150–180This university in Bayelsa State is one of the federal institutions that accepts low scores. FUOTUOKE typically pegs its general cut-off at 150, while a few programs may require 160–180.
FUOTUOKE is admission-friendly and ideal for South-South candidates.
Cut-off range: 150–170FUBK allows many students with low scores to participate in Post-UTME. Admission depends heavily on catchment.
Cut-off range: 150–180Although EBSU is a competitive state university, it still accepts low JAMB scores for many departments. Their general eligibility cut-off often remains 150.
Competitive courses like Medicine or Law still require higher scores (200–240).
Cut-off range: 150–180AAU is one of the most flexible universities in Nigeria when it comes to cut-off marks. They use the departmental grading system, meaning your aggregate score (JAMB + Post-UTME) determines your chances.
If your JAMB score is 150–180 but your Post-UTME is strong, you can secure admission.
Cut-off range: 150–180DELSU often sets the general cut-off at 150, and uses departmental screening to determine eligibility. For less competitive programs, a score between 150 and 170 is acceptable.
Some courses may fluctuate depending on admission year.
Cut-off range: 150–180EKSU is known for giving opportunities to students with low JAMB scores. Almost all courses accept 160, while several education and art courses accept 150.
EKSU also offers supplementary admission options.
Cut-off range: 150–180IMSU generally pegs its minimum cut-off at 150, allowing many candidates to write Post-UTME.
Note: Medicine, Law, Nursing, and MLS require higher scores.
Cut-off range: 150–180Rivers State University accepts low scores for non-professional courses. Their cut-off for many departments falls between 150 and 170.
RSU is a good option for students in the South-South.
Cut-off range: 150–170IBBU is one of the most accessible state universities in Northern Nigeria. They accept candidates with scores as low as 150 for many courses.
The school uses catchment heavily to admit students.
Cut-off range: 150–180OOU is a popular institution but still accepts 150–170 for several courses, especially Education and Arts programs.
OOU also conducts supplementary admissions.
If you want more options beyond the main list, consider these schools:
These institutions may adjust their cut-off yearly.
Several factors influence cut-off scores, including:
Competitive universities set higher cut-offs because thousands apply. Smaller institutions reduce cut-off to attract more candidates.
Universities with large faculties and lecture halls can admit more students with lower scores.
State universities often lower cut-offs to encourage indigenes to attend.
Low-demand courses naturally have lower cut-offs.
Schools that use Post-UTME allow low-scoring candidates to improve their aggregate.
Even when universities accept low scores, competition still exists. Follow these strategies:
Examples include:
Choose these courses first; you can switch later after your first year through intra-faculty transfer.
Even with a score of 150, if you score 70–80% in Post-UTME, your chances increase greatly.
If your state of origin matches the school, you have higher priority.
State-owned schools are more flexible and accept lower scores.
Many schools offer supplementary admissions when departments are not filled.
Options include:
These pathways are more reliable if JAMB score is low.
If your score is below 150, you can still gain admission through:
Most accept 120–140.
Accept 100 and above.
Some accept 140–150.
With these tips, you can score 200+ next year.
Scoring 150–180 in JAMB is not the end of your academic dreams. Many universities in Nigeria still accept students within this range, especially state universities and federal institutions with large admission quotas. The key is choosing the right school, selecting non-competitive courses, and preparing well for Post-UTME.The 12 universities listed in this article—including UNICAL, FUDMA, FUOTUOKE, FUBK, EBSU, OOU, EKSU, IMSU, RSU, IBBU, DELSU, and AAU—provide excellent opportunities for students seeking admission with lower JAMB scores.With proper strategy, patience, and the right information, you can still secure admission this year.
