Nursing is one of the most admired health-science careers in Nigeria today. Students line up for it every admission cycle because of its steady salary, global demand, and the chance to save lives. Yet many aspirants quietly worry about the same thing: the cut-off mark. Federal flagships such as UNILAG, UNN, and OAU regularly demand JAMB scores of 240 and above for Nursing Science, leaving thousands of bright candidates outside the gate.
That does not mean the dream ends there. Several accredited universities and colleges still admit candidates with UTME scores between 160 and 200. If your JAMB result sits within that range, this guide is built for you. We have compiled the verified Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria for the 2026/2027 session, drawing from JAMB policy releases, institutional admission briefs, and NUC accreditation records. Every school listed here holds a valid Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) accreditation.
Understanding the Nursing Cut-Off Mark System
Before checking the list of schools, you need to grasp how cut-off marks actually work in Nigeria. JAMB operates a two-tier benchmark. The national minimum score for universities sits at 150, while the Colleges of Nursing Sciences baseline is 140. These figures are floors, not admission guarantees.
Each university then fixes its own departmental cut-off based on competition, bed-space for clinical rotations, staff strength, and NUC accreditation status. A university may publish a general cut-off of 180 while quietly requiring 230 for Nursing because the programme is oversubscribed. Student aspirants who skip this detail often lose admission slots.
For the 2026/2027 cycle, expect three clear bands. Top federal universities sit between 220 and 280. Middle-tier federal and state universities range from 180 to 220. Many private universities, newer federal institutions, and state-owned Colleges of Nursing Science accept scores from 140 to 180. The Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria fall into the second and third bands, giving you realistic entry routes even when your UTME score isn’t sky-high.
Why Nursing Cut-Off Marks Vary Between Institutions
Several quiet factors shape where each school sets its bar. Competition is the biggest driver. Universities with international rankings attract thousands of first-choice applicants, forcing a higher cut-off. Less famous institutions or those in less populated states receive fewer applications, so they keep their bar friendly to boost enrolment.
Ownership also plays a role. Private universities depend on tuition income, so they often set a generous minimum to attract more candidates. Federal universities, funded by government, can afford to be selective. Catchment area policy adds another layer; federal universities reserve slots for candidates from surrounding states and educationally less-developed states (ELDS), which softens the working cut-off for those applicants.
Finally, programme age matters. A university whose Nursing department just secured NUC interim accreditation usually opens with a lower bar until the course builds a reputation. This window is precisely why the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria list keeps refreshing every admission year.
Federal Universities With Lower Nursing Cut-Off Marks
Several federal universities, particularly newer ones and those outside the South-West and South-East corridors, accept JAMB scores from 180 upwards for Nursing Science. The table below captures the current Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria within the federal category for the 2026/2027 admission exercise.
Table 1: Federal Universities Offering Nursing with Friendly Cut-Offs
| Institution | State | Nursing Cut-Off |
| University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) | Borno | 180 |
| University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) | Rivers | 180 |
| Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Kano | 180 – 200 |
| Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) | Bauchi | 180 |
| Federal University Lafia (FULafia) | Nasarawa | 200 |
| Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun | Osun | 180 – 200 |
| Federal University Dutse (FUD) | Jigawa | 180 |
| Federal University, Otuoke | Bayelsa | 180 |
| Federal University, Gashua | Yobe | 180 |
These institutions hold full or interim NUC accreditation for Nursing Science and produce graduates who sit the NMCN licensing examination. Once licensed, graduates can also convert internationally through the NMC-UK, NCLEX-USA, or HAAD routes.
State Universities With Approachable Nursing Cut-Off Marks
State-owned universities offer another realistic route for candidates on a modest JAMB score. Many of them charge friendlier tuition compared to private institutions and still operate solid Nursing programmes. Several also participate in catchment-area admission schemes that further soften the working cut-off.
Table 2: State Universities With Lower Nursing Cut-Off Marks
| Institution | State | Nursing Cut-Off |
| Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU) | Benue | 160 – 180 |
| Ebonyi State University (EBSU) | Ebonyi | 180 |
| Kaduna State University (KASU) | Kaduna | 180 – 200 |
| Gombe State University (GSU) | Gombe | 180 |
| Taraba State University (TSU) | Taraba | 170 – 180 |
| Yobe State University (YSU) | Yobe | 160 – 180 |
| Adamawa State University (ADSU) | Adamawa | 170 |
| Niger Delta University (NDU) | Bayelsa | 180 |
| Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) | Kogi | 180 |
Pairing a strong post-UTME performance with the right O’Level grades gives you real leverage at these institutions. Most of these schools appear on nearly every credible listing of the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria, and their tuition profile makes them favourites for families seeking affordable medical education.
Private Universities With Accessible Nursing Cut-Off Marks
Private universities are often the quickest route for candidates with scores between 160 and 200. Many run fully accredited Nursing programmes, accept direct payment of fees, and admit students through their own internal post-UTME screening. They also tend to have smaller class sizes, meaning better clinical supervision.
Table 3: Private Universities With Lower Nursing Cut-Off Marks
| Institution | State | Nursing Cut-Off |
| Madonna University | Anambra / Rivers | 180 – 200 |
| Bingham University | Nasarawa | 180 |
| PAMO University of Medical Sciences | Rivers | 160 – 180 |
| Novena University | Delta | 180 |
| Igbinedion University, Okada | Edo | 180 |
| Lead City University | Oyo | 180 |
| Clifford University | Abia | 180 |
| Achievers University | Ondo | 160 |
| Rhema University | Abia | 160 |
| Adeleke University | Osun | 160 – 180 |
| Bowen University | Osun | 180 |
Private institutions usually attach higher tuition fees, so weigh your finances carefully before accepting an offer. Even so, if your JAMB score feels shaky, the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria within the private category offer the safest soft landing for Nursing aspirants.
Colleges of Nursing Sciences and Schools of Nursing
Beyond universities, state-owned Schools of Nursing and Colleges of Nursing Sciences run degree programmes in partnership with universities or operate as standalone institutions awarding Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) certificates. Many of these colleges now also run full BNSc programmes affiliated to universities.
Table 4: Nursing Colleges With Accessible JAMB Cut-Off Marks
| College / School of Nursing | State | JAMB Cut-Off |
| School of Nursing, Umuahia | Abia | 150 |
| School of Nursing, Yola | Adamawa | 160 |
| School of Nursing, Anua, Uyo | Akwa Ibom | 150 |
| School of Nursing, Eket | Akwa Ibom | 150 |
| School of Peri-operative Nursing, FMC Yola | Adamawa | 140 |
| Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing | Abia | 150 |
| School of Post Basic Midwifery, Abiriba | Abia | 160 |
| School of Nursing, ABSUTH, Aba | Abia | 160 |
These programmes produce NMCN-licensed nurses who can later upgrade to a BNSc degree through a direct-entry route at any accredited university. Many practising nurses in Nigeria today started on this exact pathway, which is why the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria always includes state-owned colleges alongside degree-awarding institutions.
Core Admission Requirements for Nursing Science
No matter which university you pick from the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria, you must meet the same non-negotiable requirements.
First, you need five SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Most universities accept results from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, and many now permit two sittings. UNILAG and a few others still insist on one sitting for Nursing, so confirm the latest rule on your target school’s admission page.
Second, you must select the university as your first choice on the JAMB CAPS portal. Nursing Science is classified as a medical-science course, so most institutions will not consider you if you place them second. Third, your UTME subject combination must be English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Mathematics does not substitute for Physics in the Nursing combination.
Finally, you must register and participate in the institution’s post-UTME screening. Your final aggregate typically combines JAMB score (50%), post-UTME score (40%), and O’Level grades (10%). A candidate with a 180 JAMB score and A-grades in WAEC can out-score someone with a 230 JAMB score but weak O’Level results.
Smart Moves to Maximise Your Nursing Admission
Picking a university with a low cut-off is only step one. Final admission still depends on how you stack up against other candidates. The tips below help you convert eligibility into a real admission letter.
- Apply to institutions within your catchment area. Federal universities reserve a share of slots for candidates from surrounding states, which means your working cut-off is softer than it looks on paper.
- Target lesser-pressured campuses. Federal University Gashua, Federal University Dutse, and Federal University Otuoke receive far fewer applications than UNILAG or UI, giving strategic candidates a real edge.
- Prepare seriously for the post-UTME. Many students relax after hitting the JAMB cut-off, only to fall at the screening stage. Past-question practice, strong O’Level grades, and clean documentation push you ahead of the pack.
- Consider a parallel application to a College of Nursing Science. The RN route still leads to the same NMCN licence, and you can upgrade to BNSc later through a direct-entry programme.
- Verify NUC and NMCN accreditation before paying any tuition. Several institutions advertise Nursing without proper accreditation, and such certificates cannot be registered with NMCN.
Together, these strategies transform the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria from a list of options into a clear action plan for your admission year.
Career Outlook for Nursing Graduates
Nursing is one of the few Nigerian degrees with a clear, globally portable career path. After graduation and one year of internship, you register with the NMCN and can practise at any hospital in Nigeria. Many graduates head to the United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United States through licensing conversions such as NMC-UK, NCLEX, HAAD, and OET.
Starting salaries in Nigerian private hospitals range from ₦80,000 to ₦250,000 monthly, while federal-government nurses earn within the CONHESS salary grade, starting around ₦200,000 monthly with allowances. Specialisations such as critical care, paediatric nursing, nurse anaesthesia, and midwifery open even higher brackets. In the UK, a newly registered Nigerian nurse typically earns between £28,000 and £35,000 annually before overtime.
This strong outlook is precisely why the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria stay on every aspirant’s radar; they provide a realistic entry point into a future-proof profession that travels with you anywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the lowest JAMB cut-off mark for Nursing in 2026/2027?
Most Colleges of Nursing Science accept 140, while universities range between 160 and 200. University of Maiduguri, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Achievers University, and Rhema University sit among the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria at the university level today.
- Can I study Nursing with 160 in JAMB?
Yes. Several private universities such as Rhema University, Achievers University, and Adeleke University admit Nursing candidates with 160. Benue State University, Federal University Lokoja, and Federal University Kashere also admit 160-scorers, subject to post-UTME performance. This flexibility is one reason why the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria remain so relevant to aspirants every year.
- Which universities accept a 180 JAMB score for Nursing?
UNIMAID, UNIPORT, Bingham University, Novena University, Madonna University, Ebonyi State University, Igbinedion University, and Federal University Dutse all admit candidates with 180 and above, provided they pass the post-UTME and meet O’Level requirements.
- Do these schools award a BNSc degree?
Universities on the list award the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) after five years. Colleges of Nursing Sciences typically award the RN and RM certificates after three years. Both routes produce licensed nurses recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- Is Nursing Science the same as studying at a School of Nursing?
Not exactly. Nursing Science is a five-year university degree (BNSc) that includes RN registration on completion. A School of Nursing offers a three-year programme leading directly to RN certification. Both produce practising nurses, but the BNSc opens faster routes to postgraduate study and international practice.
- Do I still need to write post-UTME if I meet the cut-off mark?
Yes. Almost every Nigerian university combines JAMB scores with a separate post-UTME screening. Meeting the cut-off simply qualifies you to participate; the post-UTME result and O’Level grades often decide the final admission offer.
- Are there Nursing schools that do not require JAMB?
Yes. State Schools of Nursing run their own entrance exams outside JAMB, and ND, HND, or RN holders can apply for direct-entry Nursing into universities. The JAMB route remains the most direct path to a BNSc degree, and many of the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria use the JAMB UTME as their primary screening tool.
- What UTME subjects do I combine for Nursing in JAMB?
You pick English Language plus three science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. That combination stays standard across every Nigerian university offering Nursing Science, whether federal, state, or private.
Final Thoughts
Securing a Nursing admission in Nigeria is less about chasing the most famous university and more about strategic school choice. The Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria listed in this guide give realistic entry points for candidates with JAMB scores between 160 and 200. Whether you lean toward a federal, state, private, or nursing-college route, make sure the institution is NUC and NMCN accredited so your certificate holds weight across Nigeria and beyond.
Start early. Verify each school’s current admission brochure. Prepare for post-UTME with the same seriousness you gave JAMB. Do those three things consistently, and a career in Nursing is well within your reach. Bookmark this page and keep visiting for fresh updates on the Schools with the lowest cut-off mark for Nursing in Nigeria as institutions roll out their 2026/2027 admission lists.