Gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in Nigeria is one of the toughest university-admission challenges. Each year federal, state and private universities publish general and departmental cut-off marks that combine UTME (JAMB) score, post-UTME / screening score and O-level performance into an aggregate.

For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, top colleges of medicine raised the competitiveness threshold even higher, some departmental merit cut-offs for Medicine are now well into the high 70s and 80s (aggregate percentage) and UTME minima commonly range from roughly 240–290 at the most competitive universities.

This article explains what those numbers mean, how universities compute aggregates, the official cut-offs for major universities, practical tips to improve your chance, and sources so you can verify everything yourself.

What is the Meaning of cut-off mark? : (UTME vs departmental vs aggregate)

A cut-off mark is the minimum score a student must achieve in an entrance examination or screening process to be considered eligible for admission into a school, course, or program. In Nigeria, this usually refers to the minimum JAMB/UTME score, post-UTME score, or departmental aggregate a candidate needs before a university or polytechnic can offer admission.

In simple terms, the cut-off mark sets the lowest acceptable score. If your score meets or exceeds the cut-off mark, you qualify for admission consideration. If you score below it, you are not eligible for that course or institution for that admission year.

Why Cut-Off Marks Are Important

• They help universities fairly select the most qualified candidates.

• They ensure each programme (like Medicine, Law, Engineering) maintains academic standards.

• They guide students on which schools/courses they are qualified to apply for.

Types of Cut-Off Marks in Nigeria

1. General JAMB/UTME Cut-Off Mark:
   The minimum score approved by JAMB (e.g., 160).

2. Institutional Cut-Off Mark:
   The minimum score set by each university or polytechnic (higher than JAMB’s baseline).

3. Departmental Cut-Off Mark:
   The minimum score required for a specific course like Medicine, Law, Nursing, Engineering, etc.
   (This is usually the most important and most competitive).

Example:

If a university sets 250 as the cut-off mark for Medicine and a candidate scores 260, they qualify for admission consideration. A candidate with 240 does not qualify. Also Read : UNICAL School Fees 2025: Admission Requirements & Cut Off Marks

3 types of cut off marks Universities use

• JAMB/UTME minimum cut-off (national baseline): JAMB suggests a minimum (often 160) for many courses, but professional programmes like Medicine usually require much higher UTME scores set by the university.
• Post-UTME / screening cut-off: After UTME, universities run screening or post-UTME tests and set a passing threshold. This may be a raw score or an aggregate requirement.
• Departmental / merit cut-off: The actual admission threshold for a course (e.g., Medicine & Surgery) — usually expressed as an aggregate (percentage) or a departmental UTME floor (e.g., 250). This is the decisive benchmark for offers. Official departmental cut-offs are published by universities.

Important: Aggregate formulas differ across schools (common weightings: 50% UTME, 40% Post-UTME, 10% O-level; others use 60/30/10 etc.). Always confirm the exact weighting on the university’s admissions page.

How aggregates are typically calculated (example formulas)

Universities publish how they compute aggregates. Two typical examples:

1. 50:40:10 model (common):
   • UTME (JAMB) score scaled to 50%
   • Post-UTME score scaled to 40%
   • O-level (WAEC/NECO) quality score scaled to 10%
     This yields an aggregate expressed as a percentage (e.g., 78.875%).
2. Alternate weightings: Some universities tweak weights (e.g., 60% UTME, 30% Post-UTME, 10% O-level), or include interview performance as a small additional component for Medicine. Always check the university’s published formula.

National picture for 2025/2026

• Competition rose in 2025/2026. Several top universities increased the departmental aggregate required for Medicine & Surgery. For instance, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recorded a very high merit figure for Medicine in the 80s (aggregate values published). This indicates rising demand and stricter merit selection. (University Of Lagos)
• UTME baselines for Medicine rose at many universities. Multiple sources show that federal universities commonly set UTME floor scores for Medicine around 250+, with the most selective sometimes showing UTME-equivalent thresholds close to 280–290 for top-ranked institutions. (mystudentkit.com)

All University cut-off marks for Medicine & Surgery (2025/2026)

Below is a compiled list of departmental cut-offs and commonly reported UTME thresholds for Medicine and Surgery for the 2025/2026 admission year.
If a university published an aggregate departmental cut-off (percentage), that aggregate is listed.
If the university published a UTME/minimum or the reported departmental UTME equivalent, that is included as “UTME floor / reported.”
Always verify on the university admission’s official page linked in sources provided in this article.

Top federal universities cut off marks for Medicine & Surgery

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Medicine & Surgery

• Merit aggregate (Medicine & Surgery): values reported in the high 70s to 85.025 across categories; UNILAG published merit cut-offs with Medicine showing very high merit scores (example cluster numbers: 85.025, 81.775, etc.). This confirms UNILAG as one of the most competitive. (University Of Lagos)

2. University of Ibadan (UI) — Medicine & Surgery

• Departmental aggregate: UI published departmental cut-offs with Medicine & Surgery aggregates around ~78.875% (examples: 78.875, 77.375 in their official PDF listing). UI’s official cut-off release lists these values. (University of Ibadan)

3. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — Medicine & Surgery

• Reported UTME floor / departmental: Many university listings report Medicine & Surgery: 250 UTME (and departmental cut-offs in the high aggregate band). UNN’s own site confirms departmental competitiveness; public aggregators list 250 as a common threshold for UNN Medicine. (Nigeria University)

4. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria — Medicine & Surgery

• Reported UTME estimate: ABU is commonly reported to set Medicine & Surgery around 250+ UTME, with higher merit cut-offs for general merit in some cycles (some sources estimate merit as high as ~300 in extreme competition years). ABU’s cut-offs vary by category (merit, catchment, etc.). (ABUCampusReport)

5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife — Medicine & Surgery

• Reported UTME floor: Multiple sources list Medicine & Surgery ~280 UTME or high aggregate; OAU is among the most competitive for MBBS. (Check OAU official admissions page for exact departmental posting).

Other federal/state universities with high Medicine cut-offs

• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): commonly reported UTME floor for Medicine around ≥250.
• University of Benin (UNIBEN): reported departmental cut-offs for Medicine often in the high-200 UTME range or high aggregate percentage.
• Bayero University Kano (BUK): commonly reported UTME floor ~250 for Medicine.

Note: Many university admission pages publish cut-offs as aggregate percentages rather than raw UTME numbers. Aggregates make direct UTME comparisons imperfect — a candidate with a slightly lower UTME but excellent post-UTME and O-level scores can outscore a candidate with a higher UTME but weak screening test. Always confirm the formula on the university’s site. (Scribd)

Highest & lowest cut-offs for Medicine & Surgery

• Highest cut-offs: UNILAG, and some private universities with strong medical programmes, have had published aggregated merit scores for Medicine above 80% (UNILAG examples included 85.025). UI and other long-established colleges typically fall in the high 70s for medicine aggregates. (University Of Lagos)
• Lowest cut-offs (for Medicine): Some newer federal/state universities or less-applied institutions may publish departmental cut-offs closer to ~70–75 aggregate or report UTME floor around 240–250. A few universities also maintain flexible thresholds for catchment zones or other categories but Medicine rarely drops below the general professional-programme standard. (Nigeria University)

Full list of Medicine & Surgery cut-offs 2025/2026

Below are selected institutions and their reported departmental cut-offs or UTME floors based on published university pages and reputable aggregators. This is not an exhaustive national list, but covers the major medical colleges where data was available.

• University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Medicine & Surgery: Merit aggregate values reported in the 80s (e.g., 85.025 for merit band).
• University of Ibadan (UI) — Medicine & Surgery: Departmental aggregate ~78.875% (official PDF listing).
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — Medicine & Surgery: Reported UTME floor ~250.
• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria — Medicine & Surgery: Reported ~250 and above (varies by year and category).
• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — Medicine & Surgery: Reported demand and UTME-equivalent near 280 in some reports.
• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — Medicine & Surgery: Reported UTME floor/aggregate ~250+.
• University of Benin (UNIBEN) — Medicine & Surgery: Reported departmental cut-offs in high aggregate/UTME 240–270 band.
• Bayero University Kano (BUK) — Medicine & Surgery: Reported UTME floor ~250.

Why cut-offs vary so much between universities

1. Number of applicants vs seats: Popular universities with limited MBBS seats raise cut-offs to pick the highest aggregates.
2. Quality of applicants: Institutions drawing high-scoring applicants (metropolitan centres) will naturally set higher merit cut-offs.
3. Catchment and quota systems: Some universities allocate seats by catchment and may set slightly lower catchment cut-offs than merit.
4. Differences in weighting/formula: A university that gives more weight to post-UTME can favor applicants who excel at that test even with slightly lower UTME.

Practical steps and what you must do

1. Hit a strong UTME score: Aim for ≥270–290 if you’re targeting UNILAG/OAU; ≥250+ is a practical minimum for many federal universities. Those are approximate floors — higher scores improve odds.
2. Prepare and ace the post-UTME / screening: Since universities weight screening heavily, invest in targeted post-UTME practice. A strong post-UTME can compensate for a slightly lower UTME.
3. Maximize O-level points: Ensure high grades (A1–B3) in your five required subjects (often a minimum of five O-level credits including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English/Mathematics). Some schools use O-level scoring rubrics in their aggregate.
4. Apply to a mix of universities: Include “reach” (very competitive), “match” (score aligns with typical cut-offs), and “safety” options.

How to check the official cut-off for any university (2026/2027)

1. Visit the university’s official website (admissions/news/undergraduate section). E.g., UNILAG and UI publish dedicated cut-off pages.
2. Download the official PDF or notice — departmental cut-offs are commonly published as PDF tables.
3. Confirm the aggregate formula and category (merit, catchment, state quota).
4. If in doubt, contact the university admissions office via official contact information (published on the website).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1 — Is JAMB 160 enough to study Medicine?
No. A JAMB score of 160 is the national minimum for many courses but insufficient for Medicine at federal and top state universities. For Medicine you generally need UTME in the 240–290 band depending on university and year.

Q2 — What aggregate % is usually required for Medicine?
Top universities published departmental aggregates in the high 70s to 80s for Medicine (e.g., UI ~78.875 aggregate, UNILAG reported merit values in the 80s).

Q3 — Can a low UTME be offset by a high post-UTME?
Yes — because most schools compute aggregates using both scores. Strong post-UTME and excellent O-level grades can compensate partially for a lower UTME. But there is a practical limit: very low UTME will be hard to fully compensate for at top schools.

Q4 — When will universities publish final cut-offs?
Most universities publish provisional departmental cut-offs after screening/post-UTME and finalize them during the admission cycle (check official university notices for precise dates).

tips to improve your aggregate score

• Practice past post-UTME papers under timed conditions.
• Strengthen weak O-level subjects (resit if necessary for better grades).
• Apply to universities where your realistic aggregate aligns with past published cut-offs.
• Attend official admission webinars or follow the university admission Twitter/Facebook pages for timely updates. (Remember: social posts can be helpful but prioritize official university pages.)

What to check before you apply

• Confirm your O-level subject credits (Bio, Chem, Physics, English/Math where required).
• Compute a mock aggregate using the university’s published formula.
• If your mock aggregate is below published departmental cut-offs, either (a) aim for higher post-UTME/UTME scores next cycle or (b) add universities with historically lower Medicine cut-offs to your application list.
• Bookmark the official admissions pages of your target universities and check them regularly for official cut-off notices.

Conclusion

For 2026/2027, Medicine & Surgery in Nigeria remains extremely competitive. Expect institutional departmental aggregates in the high 70s to low 80s at top schools, and UTME floors commonly around 250+ (with top universities showing effective thresholds up to 280–290 in some reports). Use official university admissions pages (linked above) to confirm exact departmental cut-offs for each school and category.