Ahmadu Bello University Cut Off Mark 2026/2027 – Full Admission Guide
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and competitive federal universities. Each year, tens of thousands of UTME candidates choose ABU as their first choice due to its academic reputation, diverse programs, top-tier faculties, and affordable tuition. Because of this massive competition, understanding ABU’s cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 academic session is extremely important for every candidate hoping to secure admission.
Whether you are applying for Medicine, Law, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Education, this full guide provides everything you need to know. This includes:
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ABU General UTME Cut-off Mark 2026/2027
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Departmental Cut-off Marks for All Courses
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ABU Post-UTME Screening Requirements
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Factors that Influence ABU Admission
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O’Level Requirements
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Direct Entry (DE) Requirements
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Step-by-Step Guide to Improve Your Admission Chances
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What Is ABU Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027?
For the 2026/2027 admission session, the general JAMB UTME cut-off mark for Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is expected to remain 180 for most courses.
Historically, ABU has maintained 180 as its minimum UTME cut-off mark, although many competitive programs require 200, 220, or even 250+ to stand a realistic chance.
Key Points:
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180 is the minimum score required to be eligible for ABU Post-UTME.
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Courses like Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, and Engineering require much higher scores.
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High demand courses may have cut-off marks up to 240–270 depending on applicant performance.
The cut-off mark is only the eligibility benchmark, not the guarantee of admission.
2. ABU Departmental Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
Because ABU is extremely competitive, each department sets its own cut-off based on:
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Number of applicants
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Available departmental slots
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General performance of applicants
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Admission policies for the academic year
Below is the projected departmental cut-off marks for 2026/2027 based on previous trends and screening results.
ABU Departmental Cut-off Marks by Faculty
A. Faculty of Medicine (College of Medicine)
| Course | Projected Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Medicine & Surgery | 250 – 270 |
| Nursing Sciences | 240 – 260 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 230 – 250 |
| Pharmacy | 240 – 260 |
| Human Physiology | 200 – 220 |
| Human Anatomy | 200 – 220 |
Medicine is ABU’s most competitive program and typically requires exceptionally high scores.
B. Faculty of Engineering
| Course | Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 210 – 230 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 210 – 230 |
| Electrical Engineering | 220 – 240 |
| Chemical Engineering | 200 – 220 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 180 – 200 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 180 – 200 |
Engineering programs demand strong performance in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
C. Faculty of Law
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| LLB Law | 230 – 250 |
Law at ABU is highly competitive and seeks only top-scoring UTME and Post-UTME candidates.
D. Faculty of Social & Management Sciences
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 200 – 220 |
| Business Administration | 190 – 210 |
| Economics | 200 – 220 |
| Public Administration | 180 – 210 |
| Sociology | 180 – 200 |
| Political Science | 190 – 210 |
| Banking and Finance | 180 – 200 |
| International Studies | 190 – 210 |
Courses with business, finance, and public policy orientation are among the most subscribed.
E. Faculty of Sciences
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 200 – 220 |
| Microbiology | 200 – 220 |
| Biochemistry | 200 – 220 |
| Physics | 180 – 200 |
| Chemistry | 180 – 200 |
| Biology | 180 – 200 |
| Geology | 190 – 210 |
| Statistics | 180 – 200 |
Science courses require strong UTME and O’Level performances to stay competitive.
F. Faculty of Education
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Education & Chemistry | 180 – 200 |
| Education & Biology | 180 – 200 |
| Education & Mathematics | 180 – 200 |
| Physical & Health Education | 180 |
| Education Management | 180 |
Education courses generally receive lower cut-offs but still require good O’Level grades.
G. Faculty of Agriculture
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 180 |
| Fisheries | 180 – 200 |
| Forestry | 180 – 200 |
| Agronomy | 180 – 200 |
| Animal Science | 180 – 200 |
H. Faculty of Environmental Design
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 220 – 240 |
| Urban & Regional Planning | 180 – 200 |
| Fine Arts | 180 – 200 |
| Building Technology | 180 – 200 |
| Surveying & Geoinformatics | 180 – 200 |
Architecture remains highly competitive, with increasing demand yearly.
3. ABU Post-UTME Requirements for 2026/2027
To qualify for ABU’s Post-UTME screening, candidates must:
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Choose ABU Zaria as their First Choice in JAMB.
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Score at least 180 in UTME.
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Upload complete O’Level results on the JAMB portal.
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Meet the correct JAMB subject combination for their course.
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Complete the ABU screening form online.
ABU does not typically conduct a written Post-UTME exam. Instead, they use:
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UTME score
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O’Level grades
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Screening input
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Departmental competition level
4. O’Level Requirements for ABU Admission
All candidates must have:
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A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects
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Including English Language and Mathematics
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Obtained in no more than two sittings (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB)
For high-demand courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Accounting, ABU prefers one sitting.
5. Direct Entry (DE) Requirements
Candidates applying through Direct Entry must have:
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A’Level passes in relevant subjects
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NCE, ND or HND in a related discipline
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Minimum of Upper Credit for ND and Merit for NCE
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Must upload transcripts and certificates
Higher qualifications increase admission chances.
6. Factors That Influence ABU Cut-Off Marks
ABU’s cut-off mark fluctuates based on:
A. Volume of Applicants
The more students apply for a course, the higher the cut-off.
B. Candidate Performance
A year of high UTME performance can push cut-offs upward.
C. Departmental Quota
Limited spaces = more competition.
D. Course Popularity
Medicine, Law, and Engineering always pull high cut-offs.
E. Federal Admission Policies
Policies like merit quota, catchment area, and educationally less-developed states (ELDS) influence cut-offs.
7. Tips to Boost Your Chances of Gaining Admission into ABU 2026/2027
Getting admission into ABU is tough, but not impossible. Here are proven strategies:
1. Score Above the Minimum Cut-Off
If your course requires 220, aim for 240+.
If it requires 200, aim for 210–230.
The higher your JAMB score, the better your chances.
2. Strengthen Your O’Level Grades
A combination of strong UTME and O’Level results often leads to automatic admission.
3. Apply for Less Competitive Courses
If your score is not very high, consider applying for:
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Education courses
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Agriculture courses
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Some Environmental Design programs
You can later apply for Change of Course if necessary.
4. Upload Your O’Level on JAMB CAPS Early
Many candidates lose their admission chances because their results were not uploaded on time.
5. Monitor JAMB CAPS Regularly
Accept admission immediately once offered.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is ABU’s cut-off mark for 2026/2027?
The general cut-off mark is 180, but many courses require higher scores.
2. Does ABU accept second choice?
No. ABU only accepts candidates who choose them as First Choice.
3. What is the cut-off mark for Medicine in ABU?
Medicine typically requires 250 – 270.
4. What is the cut-off mark for Nursing?
Expect 240 – 260.
5. What is the cut-off mark for Law?
Law usually requires 230 – 250.
6. Does ABU write Post-UTME?
ABU uses an online screening—no physical exam in most years.
7. Can I gain admission with 180 into a competitive course?
Realistically, no. You will need a higher score.
Read Also: Adekunle Ajasin University Cut Off Mark 2026/2027 – Complete Admission Guide
Ahmadu Bello University remains one of Nigeria’s most competitive institutions, and gaining admission requires careful planning and excellent performance. The general cut-off mark for 2026/2027 is 180, but departmental cut-offs vary widely, especially for high-demand courses like Medicine, Nursing, Law, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Computer Science.
