The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is a federal university established in 1975 and located in Maiduguri, Borno State. It stands as one of the leading tertiary institutions in northeastern Nigeria and runs its Nursing Science programme under the College of Medical Sciences. This article explains the JAMB cut off mark required for Nursing Science at UNIMAID for the 2026/2027 admission session, how the university’s merit, catchment, and ELDS categories work, and what candidates need to qualify.
UNIMAID Cut Off Mark for Nursing Science
The University of Maiduguri has approved a cut off mark of 220 for Merit candidates, 200 for Catchment candidates, and 220 for Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) candidates for the Nursing Science programme in the 2026/2027 admission exercise. This places Nursing Science among UNIMAID’s most competitive courses, sitting alongside Medicine and Surgery, Dental Surgery, and other health-related programmes that consistently draw a high volume of applicants relative to the number of available admission slots.
This departmental cut off mark sits well above the university’s general institutional minimum, which stands at 150 for the 2026/2027 session. Meeting the general minimum only qualifies a candidate to apply for the Post-UTME screening exercise; it does not qualify them specifically for Nursing Science. To be realistically considered for a Nursing Science slot, a candidate’s UTME score must meet or exceed the course-specific mark that applies to their particular admission category.
Understanding Merit, Catchment, and ELDS Categories
UNIMAID, like most federal universities in Nigeria, allocates admission slots across three main categories, each carrying its own cut off mark for a given course. Understanding how these categories work helps candidates interpret the Nursing Science cut off mark correctly:
- Merit applies to candidates competing purely on academic performance, regardless of their state of origin. This category typically carries the highest cut off mark since it draws applicants from across the country.
- Catchment applies to candidates whose state of origin falls within UNIMAID’s designated catchment area, which generally covers states within closer geographic and administrative proximity to Borno State. Catchment candidates benefit from a marginally lower cut off mark than Merit candidates for the same course.
- Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) applies to candidates from states that the federal government has designated as educationally disadvantaged, as part of a national policy to widen access to tertiary education in those states. For Nursing Science, the ELDS cut off mark is set at the same level as the Merit category.
A candidate’s applicable category depends on their state of origin as declared during JAMB registration, not on personal preference. This means two candidates with the same JAMB score may face different admission outcomes for the same course depending on which category their state of origin falls under.
Comparing Nursing Science to Other Competitive Courses at UNIMAID
The table below compares the Nursing Science cut off mark to other programmes within UNIMAID’s College of Medical Sciences and a few programmes from other faculties, to give context on where Nursing Science ranks in terms of overall competitiveness:
| Programme | Merit | Catchment | ELDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 250 | — | — |
| Dental Surgery (BDS) | 250 | — | — |
| Pharmacy (PharmD) | 240 | — | — |
| Nursing Science (B.Sc.) | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Human Anatomy | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Human Physiology | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Doctor of Physiotherapy | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Radiography | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | 220 | 200 | 220 |
| Social Work | 160 | 150 | 150 |
| Agriculture | 155 | 150 | 150 |
This comparison shows that while Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy sit at the very top of UNIMAID’s competitiveness scale, Nursing Science falls into a closely-grouped tier alongside most other health-science-based programmes in the College of Medical Sciences, all of which require considerably more than the general 150 institutional minimum.
Why Nursing Science Attracts a High Cut Off Mark
Nursing remains one of the most sought-after health-related courses in Nigeria, driven by strong graduate employability, the profession’s clear regulatory pathway through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and consistent demand for trained nurses across public and private healthcare systems, both within Nigeria and internationally. At UNIMAID specifically, the programme benefits from close clinical ties to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and other affiliated health facilities, which gives students structured, supervised clinical exposure throughout their training. This combination of strong career prospects and limited admission capacity keeps applicant numbers consistently high, which is what pushes the departmental cut off mark well above the university’s general baseline.
Admission Requirements for Nursing Science at UNIMAID
Meeting the cut off mark is one part of the admission process. Candidates must also satisfy UNIMAID’s general and course-specific requirements before an offer of admission can be finalised:
- UTME registration with UNIMAID as first choice. Candidates must have registered for the relevant year’s UTME and selected the University of Maiduguri as their first-choice institution, or completed a valid change of institution where necessary.
- O’level credit requirements. A minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examining body.
- Correct UTME subject combination. Nursing Science applicants must sit the required science-based subject combination, generally comprising English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. An incorrect subject combination can disqualify an otherwise qualified application regardless of the total score obtained.
- Minimum age requirement. Candidates are generally expected to be at least 16 years old by the time of admission.
- Meeting the applicable departmental cut off mark. As detailed above, this depends on whether the candidate falls under the Merit, Catchment, or ELDS category.
How the UNIMAID Post-UTME Screening Process Works
After JAMB releases UTME results and UNIMAID publishes its approved cut off marks, eligible candidates proceed through the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise. The process generally follows these steps:
- Confirm eligibility. Compare your UTME score against the cut off mark for Nursing Science under your applicable admission category.
- Register online for screening. Eligible candidates create an account on the university’s official screening portal.
- Pay the screening fee. A modest, non-refundable fee, historically around ₦2,000, is paid through Remita as part of the registration process.
- Upload required documents. This typically includes O’level results, the JAMB result slip, a passport photograph, and other requested credentials.
- Await screening outcome and admission list. Successful candidates are shortlisted based on how their score and documentation compare against other applicants for Nursing Science within the limited number of available slots.
- Accept admission on JAMB CAPS. Once formally admitted, candidates confirm their offer through the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System before proceeding to UNIMAID’s own registration process.
What to Do If Your Score Falls Below the Nursing Science Cut Off Mark
Candidates whose UTME score falls below the Nursing Science cut off mark for their category still have a few realistic options. They can consider a related but less competitive programme within the College of Medical Sciences, such as Social Work, where the cut off mark sits considerably lower. Alternatively, candidates can explore Nursing programmes at other institutions where the departmental cut off mark may be more attainable, or consider a Diploma or ND-level nursing pathway as a stepping stone before progressing toward a full degree programme. Rewriting the UTME in a subsequent year to improve the score remains another option for candidates firmly set on securing a Nursing Science slot at UNIMAID specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNIMAID cut off mark for Nursing Science in 2026/2027?
The approved cut off mark for Nursing Science is 220 for Merit candidates, 200 for Catchment candidates, and 220 for ELDS candidates.
Is 150 enough to get admission into Nursing Science at UNIMAID?
No. A score of 150 meets only the university’s general institutional minimum, which qualifies a candidate to apply for Post-UTME screening. It does not meet the specific departmental cut off mark required for Nursing Science.
What is the difference between Merit, Catchment, and ELDS categories?
Merit applies to candidates competing nationally regardless of state of origin, Catchment applies to candidates from states within UNIMAID’s designated catchment area, and ELDS applies to candidates from states federally recognised as educationally less developed. Each category can carry a different cut off mark for the same course.
What UTME subject combination is required for Nursing Science at UNIMAID?
Candidates are generally required to sit English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, alongside meeting the O’level credit requirement in the same subjects.
What happens if my score is below the Nursing Science cut off mark?
Candidates in this position can consider a related but less competitive programme within the same college, explore Nursing admission at another institution, pursue a Diploma or ND-level nursing pathway, or rewrite the UTME to improve their score for a future admission cycle.