The Lagos State Government has rejected the 150 minimum cut-off mark approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for university admissions.
Eko Hot News reports that the state government announced that candidates seeking admission into Lagos-owned universities must score a minimum of 185 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, disclosed the position during a ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa.
The briefing formed part of activities marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to Sule, the 150 cut-off mark approved by JAMB does not reflect the academic standards expected in Lagos State tertiary institutions.
He stated that none of the three Lagos State-owned universities would admit candidates who scored below 185 in the UTME.
The commissioner explained that Lagos remains committed to maintaining quality and excellence in higher education admission processes.
Sule noted that while JAMB may have considered national educational realities in setting the benchmark, Lagos would continue to uphold its own standards.
He added that the state government does not intend to lower admission requirements despite the national benchmark introduced for the 2026 admission exercise.
According to him, Lagos is not classified among educationally disadvantaged states and therefore should maintain a higher admission standard.
The commissioner stressed that the state government remains focused on protecting the quality and competitiveness of its tertiary institutions.
He described the 150 benchmark as too low when measured against the academic expectations of Lagos-owned universities.
Stakeholders within the education sector have continued to react to the development following the announcement by the state government.
Some education analysts believe the higher cut-off mark could encourage stronger academic preparation among admission seekers.
Others noted that stricter admission requirements may help preserve educational quality and institutional reputation.
Observers also pointed out that admission competition into Lagos-owned universities is expected to remain high due to the state’s educational standards.
The state government reiterated its commitment to improving tertiary education through quality assurance and institutional development.
Officials added that Lagos will continue investing in educational infrastructure, innovation, and academic excellence across its institutions.
The development means candidates seeking admission into Lagos State universities will need to meet the state’s approved benchmark regardless of the national minimum set by JAMB.
Education stakeholders are expected to continue discussions around admission standards and access to higher education as the 2026 admission process progresses.
