The institution that actually runs a Nursing Science programme in Jigawa State is the Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences (JSUMAHS), formerly known as Khadija University, Majia. For the 2025/2026 admission cycle, the university’s approved minimum UTME score for entry, including into its Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) programme, is 150. This figure applies as the general institutional cut-off mark rather than a separate, higher departmental cut-off specific to Nursing, which distinguishes JSUMAHS from many other Nigerian universities that set Nursing well above their general admission floor.
This article explains why “Jigawa State University” and JSUMAHS are not the same institution, what the actual cut-off mark for Nursing is at JSUMAHS, how that compares to Nursing cut-off marks nationally, and what else determines whether a qualifying score actually results in admission.
Why “Jigawa State University” No Longer Exists Under That Name
Anyone searching for the “Jigawa State University cut off mark for nursing” needs to understand a naming change that affects which institution the search actually points to. Jigawa State’s original state university was established in Kafin Hausa in 2013 under the name Jigawa State University, licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) that same year, with full academic activities beginning in 2014. In December 2014, the state government renamed the institution Sule Lamido University, and it has operated under that name ever since. Sule Lamido University does not run a Nursing Science programme or any health sciences faculty.
The institution that does offer Nursing is a separate one: Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences (JSUMAHS), formerly the private Khadija University, Majia, which the Jigawa State Government acquired in 2024 and converted into the state’s second public university, repositioned specifically around medical and allied health training. JSUMAHS is the institution this article’s cut-off information applies to, since it is the one candidates searching for a Nursing cut-off mark in Jigawa State are actually looking for.
JSUMAHS Cut Off Mark for Nursing
JSUMAHS admits Nursing Science candidates through a general institutional cut-off mark rather than a separately elevated departmental figure. The table below shows how this cut-off has moved across recent admission cycles.
| Academic Session | UTME Cut-Off Mark (General/Nursing) |
|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | 140 |
| 2025/2026 | 150 |
The increase from 140 to 150 tracks the national minimum cut-off mark JAMB approved at its policy meetings for those respective years, since JAMB requires every university, including specialised health science institutions, to admit no candidate below the nationally approved floor. For the 2026/2027 session, JAMB has retained 150 as the national minimum for university admission, which also applies to Colleges of Nursing, so candidates should expect JSUMAHS to maintain a similar minimum requirement of 150 for the current cycle unless the university publishes a specific upward revision.
How JSUMAHS Compares to Nursing Cut-Off Marks at Other Nigerian Universities
A score of 150 for Nursing at JSUMAHS sits considerably below what many other Nigerian universities demand for the same course. Nursing is one of the most competitive programmes in Nigerian tertiary education generally, and most institutions set their departmental cut-off well above the national floor because of limited admission slots, NMCN-regulated intake quotas, and consistently high applicant volume.
| Institution Type | Typical Nursing Cut-Off Range |
|---|---|
| JSUMAHS (Jigawa State) | 150 |
| Other state universities | 180 – 220 |
| Federal universities (e.g. UI, UNILAG, UNIABUJA) | 220 – 270+ |
| Private universities | 150 – 200 |
This comparison shows that JSUMAHS currently sets one of the more accessible entry points for Nursing among Nigerian universities, at least at the JAMB score level. Candidates should not read this as meaning admission is guaranteed at 150, since meeting a cut-off mark only qualifies a candidate for further consideration; it does not by itself secure a place in the programme.
What Else Determines Admission Beyond the UTME Score
Meeting the cut-off mark of 150 makes a candidate eligible to be considered for JSUMAHS’s Nursing programme, but several other factors determine whether that candidate is ultimately admitted.
- O’Level results – Candidates need a minimum of five relevant O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body in not more than two sittings. Nursing-specific subject requirements typically also call for credits in Biology and Chemistry.
- UTME subject combination – Candidates must have registered the correct JAMB subject combination for Nursing Science, generally English Language, Biology, and Chemistry, alongside Physics or another related science subject. An incorrect subject combination can disqualify an otherwise qualifying score.
- First-choice institution status – Selecting JSUMAHS as the first-choice institution on JAMB registration generally improves a candidate’s standing during the admission process compared to listing it as a second choice.
- Available admission slots – Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, and Physiotherapy are grouped under JSUMAHS’s Basic Medical Sciences category, which has a limited number of seats each session due to clinical placement and laboratory capacity, meaning competition exists even among candidates who meet the cut-off mark.
- Direct Entry route – Candidates who already hold a minimum of Lower Credit in a National Diploma (ND), or who have completed IJMB with at least four points across two subjects, may apply through Direct Entry instead of UTME, following a separate but broadly comparable screening standard.
O’Level and Subject Combination Requirements for Nursing at JSUMAHS
Before checking the cut-off mark, a candidate must confirm they meet the underlying subject-level requirements for Nursing Science. At O’Level, JSUMAHS requires a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body, obtained in not more than two sittings. At UTME level, the required subject combination for Nursing Science is English Language, Biology, and Chemistry, alongside either Physics or another closely related science subject. Meeting the UTME cut-off mark without satisfying these O’Level and subject-combination requirements will still result in disqualification during the university’s screening process.
Steps to Take After Meeting the JSUMAHS Nursing Cut-Off Mark
- Confirm JSUMAHS is selected as the first-choice institution on the JAMB UTME registration portal.
- Verify that all O’Level subject and credit requirements for Nursing Science are fully met, correcting any outstanding results through WAEC or NECO if necessary.
- Upload O’Level results to the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) through an accredited CBT centre, as required for all applicants.
- Watch for the release of the JSUMAHS Post-UTME/screening announcement and register promptly once the exercise opens.
- Attend the screening exercise with all required documents, including the UTME result slip and O’Level result(s).
- Monitor the JSUMAHS admission portal and JAMB CAPS regularly for updates, and accept any admission offer promptly once released, since delayed acceptance can result in the offer being withdrawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JSUMAHS cut-off mark for Nursing?
For the 2025/2026 session, the approved minimum UTME score was 150, applied as the university’s general institutional cut-off rather than a separately elevated Nursing-specific figure.
Is Jigawa State University the same institution as JSUMAHS?
No. Jigawa State University was renamed Sule Lamido University in 2014 and does not offer Nursing. JSUMAHS, formerly Khadija University, Majia, is the separate institution that runs the Nursing Science programme.
Does meeting the cut-off mark guarantee admission into Nursing at JSUMAHS?
No. Meeting the cut-off mark only makes a candidate eligible for further consideration. Final admission also depends on O’Level results, correct subject combination, first-choice institution status, and the number of available slots.
How does the JSUMAHS Nursing cut-off mark compare to other universities?
It is lower than most other Nigerian universities offering Nursing, many of which set departmental cut-offs between 180 and 270, depending on whether the institution is state-owned, federal, or private.
Can Direct Entry candidates apply for Nursing at JSUMAHS?
Yes. Candidates with a minimum of Lower Credit in a National Diploma, or a minimum of four points across two subjects in IJMB, may apply through the Direct Entry route instead of UTME.