What is the cut-off mark for ESUT for nursing?

Establishing a career in healthcare starts with meeting the right academic benchmarks. If you are an aspiring nurse, understanding the JAMB cut off mark for nursing is the most critical first step in your journey. Knowing the JAMB cut off mark for nursing helps you set a realistic target during your UTME preparation. While many candidates aim high, missing the specific JAMB cut off mark for nursing for your chosen institution can lead to a change of course. Because competition is fierce, the JAMB cut off mark for nursing often sits higher than the general institutional minimum. Today, we will break down the expected JAMB cut off mark for nursing for over 100 institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session.

​Understanding the Nursing Cut-Off Landscape

​In Nigeria, nursing is categorized as a "competitive" or "professional" course. This means that even if a university’s general cut-off is 160, the Department of Nursing Science will likely require a much higher score—often 200 to 250 for federal universities.

​1. Federal and State Universities

​These institutions offer a five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree.

• ​University of Benin (UNIBEN): Known for high standards, the departmental cut-off for Nursing usually starts at 230–250.
• ​University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): One of the most competitive; you should aim for 250+ to be safe for merit admission.
• ​University of Lagos (UNILAG): Operates on a composite scoring system, but a JAMB score of 250 is generally the baseline for consideration.

​2. Schools of Nursing (Colleges of Nursing Sciences)

​These schools award Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) certifications. Many have recently transitioned to ND/HND programs in affiliation with polytechnics.

• ​Requirements: Most require a JAMB score of 160 to 200, though some private colleges may accept 150.

​3. Polytechnics (ND/HND Nursing)

​A growing number of polytechnics now offer Nursing Science.

• ​Average Cut-off: Usually ranges between 160 and 180.

​Comprehensive List: 100 Schools and Their Cut-Off Marks

​Below is the projected guide for the 2026 session. Note that "Merit" refers to the score needed to be highly competitive, while "JAMB Min" is the minimum score to be eligible for the post-UTME.

S/N	Institution Name	Institution Type	JAMB Min.	Competitive Score
1	University of Benin (UNIBEN)	Federal University	200	240+
2	University of Nigeria (UNN)	Federal University	200	250+
3	University of Lagos (UNILAG)	Federal University	200	260+
4	Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)	Federal University	200	250+
5	University of Ibadan (UI)	Federal University	200	260+
6	Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)	Federal University	200	230+
7	Bayero University Kano (BUK)	Federal University	200	220+
8	University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)	Federal University	200	240+
9	University of Jos (UNIJOS)	Federal University	200	220+
10	University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)	Federal University	200	230+
11	Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)	Federal University	200	240+
12	University of Calabar (UNICAL)	Federal University	200	230+
13	University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)	Federal University	180	210+
14	Federal University, Birnin Kebbi	Federal University	180	200+
15	Federal University, Dutse	Federal University	180	200+
16	Federal University, Lafia	Federal University	200	220+
17	Federal University, Lokoja	Federal University	200	220+
18	Usman Danfodio University (UDUSOK)	Federal University	180	200+
19	University of Uyo (UNIUYO)	Federal University	200	230+
20	Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo	Fed. Health Uni	200	230+
21	Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare	Fed. Health Uni	200	220+
22	Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun	Fed. Health Uni	200	220+
23	Lagos State University (LASU)	State University	200	240+
24	Delta State University (DELSU)	State University	180	220+
25	Abia State University (ABSU)	State University	180	210+
26	Imo State University (IMSU)	State University	180	220+
27	Ebonyi State University (EBSU)	State University	180	210+
28	Enugu State Univ. of Science & Tech (ESUT)	State University	180	200+
29	Ambrose Alli University (AAU)	State University	180	210+
30	Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)	State University	180	220+
31	Ekiti State University (EKSU)	State University	180	220+
32	Ladoke Akintola Univ. of Tech (LAUTECH)	State University	200	240+
33	Rivers State University (RSU)	State University	180	210+
34	Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)	State University	180	200+
35	Kaduna State University (KASU)	State University	180	210+
36	Kwara State University (KWASU)	State University	180	200+
37	Osun State University (UNIOSUN)	State University	180	220+
38	Benue State University (BSUM)	State University	180	210+
39	Taraba State University	State University	160	190+
40	Nasarawa State University (NSUK)	State University	180	200+
41	Plateau State University	State University	170	190+
42	Niger Delta University (NDU)	State University	180	210+
43	Babcock University	Private University	180	180+
44	Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)	Private University	180	200+
45	Bowen University	Private University	180	180+
46	Igbinedion University	Private University	180	180+
47	Madonna University	Private University	180	180+
48	Bingham University	Private University	180	190+
49	Lead City University	Private University	180	180+
50	Gregory University, Uturu	Private University	180	180+
51	Ajayi Crowther University	Private University	180	180+
52	Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing	Private College	160	160+
53	Achievers University, Owo	Private University	180	180+
54	Adeleke University	Private University	180	180+
55	Benson Idahosa University	Private University	180	180+
56	Caleb University	Private University	180	180+
57	Covenant University	Private University	200	200+
58	Landmark University	Private University	180	180+
59	Redeemer's University	Private University	180	180+
60	Elizade University	Private University	180	180+
61	Pan-Atlantic University	Private University	200	200+
62	Veritas University, Abuja	Private University	180	190+
63	Nile University of Nigeria	Private University	200	200+
64	Skyline University Nigeria	Private University	180	180+
65	American University of Nigeria	Private University	180	180+
66	Lagos State College of Nursing (Igando)	State College	200	200+
67	Oyo State College of Nursing	State College	180	200+
68	Ogun State College of Nursing	State College	180	190+
69	Ondo State College of Nursing	State College	180	190+
70	Kwara State College of Nursing	State College	170	180+
71	Edo State College of Nursing Sciences	State College	180	180+
72	Delta State College of Nursing	State College	180	180+
73	Akwa Ibom State School of Nursing	State College	180	180+
74	Cross River State School of Nursing	State College	180	180+
75	Rivers State School of Nursing	State College	180	190+
76	Anambra State College of Nursing	State College	180	190+
77	Abia State College of Nursing	State College	170	180+
78	Imo State College of Nursing	State College	180	180+
79	Kebbi State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
80	Sokoto State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
81	Zamfara State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
82	Katsina State College of Nursing	State College	170	180+
83	Kano State College of Nursing	State College	180	190+
84	Jigawa State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
85	Bauchi State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
86	Gombe State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
87	Borno State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
88	Adamawa State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
89	Taraba State College of Nursing	State College	160	170+
90	Plateau State College of Nursing	State College	170	180+
91	Nasarawa State College of Nursing	State College	170	180+
92	Kogi State College of Nursing	State College	180	180+
93	Niger State College of Nursing	State College	180	180+
94	FCT School of Nursing, Gwagwalada	Federal College	180	200+
95	University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital	Teaching Hosp.	180	200+
96	University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan	Teaching Hosp.	200	220+
97	LUTH School of Nursing	Teaching Hosp.	200	220+
98	ABU Teaching Hospital School of Nursing	Teaching Hosp.	180	200+
99	AKTH School of Nursing, Kano	Teaching Hosp.	180	190+
100	JUTH School of Nursing, Jos	Teaching Hosp.	180	190+

Conclusion

​Gaining admission into Nursing Science in Nigeria requires diligence. While the general JAMB cut-off may be lower, the departmental requirements are always higher due to the volume of applicants. Ensure you monitor the specific portal of your school of choice for any updates to these figures as the post-UTME season approaches. Good luck with your 2026 admissions!

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