Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), a private faith-based institution in Oyo, Oyo State, admits students every session through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry routes. Candidates applying for the 2026/2027 academic session need clarity on two separate figures: the national JAMB cut-off mark that applies to all universities, and the specific score ACU itself expects for the course a candidate wants to study. This article explains both, breaks down how the requirement differs across faculties and courses, and outlines what candidates should do after meeting the minimum score.
What a JAMB Cut-Off Mark Means
A cut-off mark is the lowest UTME score a candidate must obtain before an institution can consider that candidate for admission into a particular course. Two layers of cut-off marks apply in Nigeria’s admission system. The first is the national minimum, sometimes called the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score, which JAMB and the heads of tertiary institutions agree on at an annual policy meeting. No university, public or private, can admit a candidate who scores below this national figure. The second layer is the institutional or departmental cut-off, which each university sets on its own, often higher than the national minimum, based on how competitive a course is, how many applicants it attracts, and how many spaces the department has available.
Meeting the national minimum only makes a candidate eligible to apply. It does not guarantee a spot. Admission into a specific course at ACU depends on the candidate meeting or exceeding the course-specific cut-off, performing well in the post-UTME screening, and satisfying the O’Level requirements tied to that course.
The National JAMB Cut-Off Mark for 2026/2027
JAMB, in agreement with vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and other stakeholders at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions, fixed 150 as the national minimum score for admission into universities for the 2026/2027 session. This figure applies to every Nigerian university, whether federal, state, or private, including Ajayi Crowther University. Polytechnics and monotechnics operate on a lower national floor of 100, while colleges of nursing sciences were placed at 150 as well for this session. Any candidate scoring below 150 in UTME is not eligible for admission into any degree-awarding university programme in the country for this admission cycle, regardless of which institution or course they hope to study.
It is worth noting that this national figure represents a floor, not a target. Scoring exactly 150 makes a candidate technically eligible to apply, but for competitive courses at ACU, actual admitted scores tend to run higher than the national minimum, sometimes considerably so, depending on the course.
Ajayi Crowther University’s Institutional Cut-Off Mark
Beyond the national floor, ACU sets its own baseline score that applicants must reach before the university considers their application for the Post-UTME screening exercise. In previous admission cycles, ACU’s institutional cut-off has typically sat above the JAMB national minimum, reflecting the university’s practice of using post-UTME screening, alongside O’Level results and subject combination, to further narrow down its applicant pool. Because the university reviews this figure each session in line with the number of applicants and available space, candidates should treat the exact institutional cut-off for 2026/2027 as subject to confirmation through ACU’s official admission portal or admissions office once the university formally announces it, rather than relying on any specific number circulating informally before an official release.
What remains consistent across sessions is the pattern: ACU’s own minimum requirement is generally at or slightly above the JAMB national floor, and courses under Law, Engineering, Nursing, and other high-demand programmes carry higher expectations than courses in the Humanities or Social Sciences with more available slots.
Faculties and Courses Offered at Ajayi Crowther University
ACU runs academic programmes across seven faculties: the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Management Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Education. Within these faculties, the university offers undergraduate degree programmes spanning subjects such as Law, Nursing Science, Computer Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Industrial Physics, Mass Communication, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Political Science, English Studies, Religious Studies, Theatre and Performing Arts, Estate Management, Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, and Educational courses such as Guidance and Counselling, among others.
The table below groups the general categories of courses by their typical demand level, which is the main factor influencing how far above the national minimum ACU sets its cut-off mark for each group.
| Course Category | Examples of Courses | Typical Demand Level | General Cut-Off Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Law (LL.B) | Very high | Well above the national minimum; among the highest at ACU |
| Health and Medical Sciences | Nursing Science, Public Health | High | Above the national minimum, competitive |
| Engineering and Technology | Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering | High | Above the national minimum |
| Pure and Applied Sciences | Computer Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Industrial Physics, Geology | Moderate to high | At or slightly above the national minimum |
| Management and Social Sciences | Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Mass Communication | Moderate | At or close to the national minimum |
| Humanities and Education | English Studies, Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, Guidance and Counselling | Lower relative demand | Generally at the national minimum |
This grouping reflects the general pattern seen across private universities in Nigeria rather than officially confirmed departmental figures for 2026/2027, since ACU typically releases exact departmental cut-off marks alongside its Post-UTME screening announcement for each session. Candidates should confirm the specific figure for their intended course once ACU publishes its official admission notice.
Requirements Beyond the Cut-Off Mark
Meeting the cut-off mark is only one part of gaining admission into ACU. Candidates also need to satisfy other conditions that the university checks during screening. These include:
- O’Level results – a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, in not more than two sittings. English Language and Mathematics are compulsory for nearly every course, with the remaining three credits depending on the specific programme’s subject requirements.
- JAMB subject combination – the four subjects registered for UTME must align with what the intended course requires. A mismatch can disqualify an otherwise qualified candidate regardless of score.
- First-choice institution status – ACU must be the candidate’s first choice on their JAMB registration. Candidates who chose another institution first need to use JAMB’s change of institution service before applying to ACU.
- Age requirement – applicants are generally expected to be at least 16 years old by the time of admission, in line with the age policy adopted at the national level for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.
- Post-UTME screening – ACU conducts its own screening exercise for shortlisted candidates, which may involve a written test, verification of documents, or an interview, depending on the course applied for.
- Direct Entry eligibility – candidates applying through Direct Entry need a minimum of a Lower Credit in a National Diploma, or equivalent qualifications such as NCE, IJMB, or A-Level results, from a recognised institution.
How the Cut-Off Mark Affects Admission Chances
A candidate’s UTME score influences their admission chances in a direct way: the higher the score above the required cut-off, the stronger the candidate’s position during the ranking process, since ACU admits candidates in order of merit within each course, subject to available space. A score that only just meets the cut-off does not guarantee a slot if the course receives far more qualified applicants than it has space for that session. This is particularly true for Law, Nursing Science, and Engineering programmes, where demand consistently outpaces the number of available admission slots.
Candidates applying for less competitive courses in the Humanities or Education faculties generally face a more favourable ratio of applicants to available space, which means candidates scoring closer to the national minimum still stand a reasonable chance, provided they meet every other requirement.
Steps to Apply After Meeting the Cut-Off Mark
Once a candidate confirms that their UTME score meets or exceeds both the national minimum and ACU’s specific requirement for their intended course, the next steps generally follow this sequence:
- Confirm or change institution and course preference on the JAMB portal, ensuring ACU is listed as the first choice.
- Visit ACU’s official admission portal to check whether the Post-UTME/screening form has been released for the 2026/2027 session.
- Complete the Post-UTME screening registration, providing accurate JAMB registration number, O’Level results, and passport photograph.
- Pay the applicable screening fee through the official payment channel indicated on the portal.
- Attend or complete the screening exercise as scheduled by the university.
- Monitor the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and ACU’s admission portal for the admission status update.
- Accept the admission offer on CAPS within the stipulated deadline once offered a place, to avoid the offer being withdrawn or reassigned to another candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Ajayi Crowther University for 2026/2027?
The national minimum JAMB cut-off mark for university admission in the 2026/2027 session is 150, as fixed by JAMB and stakeholders at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions. ACU’s own institutional cut-off is generally set at or above this figure and should be confirmed through the university’s official admission notice for the session.
Does every course at ACU use the same cut-off mark?
No. While the national minimum of 150 applies across all courses as a floor, competitive courses such as Law, Nursing Science, and Engineering typically require scores higher than the national minimum, while less competitive courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences are more likely to admit candidates closer to the minimum.
Is meeting the cut-off mark enough to guarantee admission?
No. Meeting the cut-off mark only qualifies a candidate to apply and be considered. Actual admission also depends on Post-UTME screening performance, O’Level results, subject combination, and the number of available slots in the chosen course.
Can a candidate with less than 150 in UTME apply to ACU?
No. A score below the national minimum of 150 makes a candidate ineligible for admission into any Nigerian university for the 2026/2027 session, including Ajayi Crowther University.
Where can candidates get the exact departmental cut-off marks for ACU?
The most reliable source is ACU’s official admission portal or admissions office, since departmental cut-off marks are typically published alongside the Post-UTME screening announcement for each academic session.
Conclusion
Candidates targeting Ajayi Crowther University for the 2026/2027 academic session need a minimum UTME score of 150 to be eligible for consideration, in line with the national cut-off mark JAMB and tertiary institution stakeholders agreed on. ACU applies its own institutional and course-specific requirements on top of this floor, with competitive programmes such as Law, Nursing Science, and Engineering generally demanding higher scores than courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Candidates should confirm the exact departmental cut-off for their intended course through ACU’s official admission channels once the university releases its Post-UTME screening notice, and should ensure every other admission requirement, from O’Level credits to subject combination, is properly met before applying.