Computer Science is one of the most competitive courses in Nigeria, and many candidates finish the UTME with scores that look too low for the big universities. The good news is that several schools still admit Computer Science candidates close to the national minimum. This guide lists the schools with the lowest cut off mark for computer science for the 2026/2027 session, and explains what each figure means for a candidate with a modest JAMB score.
It covers the 2026 JAMB minimum scores, the universities and polytechnics with low Computer Science cut-off marks, the admission requirements, and the steps for moving a JAMB choice to a school where the score is good enough.
What “Lowest Cut Off Mark” Means for Computer Science
Two kinds of cut-off mark decide admission in Nigeria. The first is the national minimum set by JAMB at its yearly policy meeting. No institution is allowed to admit a candidate below it. The second is the institutional or departmental cut-off, which each school sets for itself. A school can set its general cut-off at the JAMB minimum and still ask for a higher score in a popular department such as Computer Science.
For this reason, the schools with the lowest cut off mark for computer science are the ones whose Computer Science department accepts a score at, or very close to, the JAMB minimum. A school with a general cut-off of 150 does not always admit Computer Science candidates at 150, so the departmental figure is the one that matters.
JAMB Minimum Cut Off Marks for 2026/2027
JAMB fixed the minimum admission scores for the 2026/2027 session at its policy meeting in Abuja on 11 May 2026. The figures are floors, not targets.
| Type of Institution | JAMB Minimum Score (2026/2027) |
|---|---|
| Universities (federal, state and private) | 150 |
| Colleges of nursing sciences | 150 |
| Polytechnics and monotechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of education | 100 |
The same meeting fixed the admission deadlines. Public universities are to finish admissions by 31 October 2026, and private universities by 30 November 2026. Candidates who still have no admission should act quickly, because the window for public universities is closing.
Universities With the Lowest Cut Off Mark for Computer Science
The universities below accept Computer Science candidates at or near the national minimum, or they set their general screening score at 150 or 160. They are arranged from the lowest score upward.
1. Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State
Federal University Otuoke sets 150 as the minimum UTME score for its 2026/2027 post-UTME screening, and its list of programmes includes B.Sc. Computer Science and Informatics, B.Sc. (Ed.) Computer Science Education and B.Sc. Cybersecurity. This makes it one of the clearest options for a Computer Science candidate with a score of 150. Candidates who did not choose the university as first choice must first do a change of institution on the JAMB portal. The application fee is ₦2,000, and applications go through the university’s e-campus portal.
2. Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State
CUSTECH, a Kogi State-owned university, sets 150 as the general minimum for its 2026/2027 screening. The university has not published a separate departmental figure for Computer Science, so 150 is the entry point for the screening, while the final admission list depends on the screening result and the number of places. The screening fee is ₦2,000.
3. Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State
FUD sets its general cut-off at 150, and its screening is online only, with no written test. Computer Science is more competitive than the general cut-off, and candidates usually need about 170 to 180 to stand a good chance. A candidate with 150 to 169 can still apply, but should consider a related course in the Faculty of Computing or the sciences as a second option.
4. Federal University Lokoja (FULOKOJA), Kogi State
Federal University Lokoja sets 160 as the minimum UTME score to take part in its 2026 post-UTME screening. Computer Science is offered as a B.Sc. programme. A candidate with 160 or more meets the entry point, and admission then depends on the aggregate score after screening.
5. Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti
EKSU uses 150 as its general minimum for 2026/2027, but Computer Science has its own minimum of 180. Candidates below 180 who apply for Computer Science are advised to pick another course. The screening fee is ₦2,000.
6. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and Imo State University (IMSU)
Both universities place Computer Science among their higher-demand courses. ESUT lists 200 as the minimum UTME score for Computer Science and related courses such as Cyber Security, Data Science and Software Engineering. IMSU sets 200 for Computer Science and related technology programmes. They are good options for candidates who scored 200 or more but fell short of the very top universities.
Private Universities and Computer Science Cut Off Marks
Many private universities screen candidates at or close to the JAMB minimum of 150, and some do not run a written post-UTME test at all. Their admission decision often rests on the UTME score, the O’Level result and an interview. Private universities also have a later admission deadline (30 November 2026), which gives candidates more time.
The trade-off is cost. Private university tuition for Computer Science is far higher than at federal or state universities. Before applying, a candidate should confirm three things on the school’s official website: the Computer Science cut-off for 2026/2027, the full fee for the first year, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation status of the programme.
Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: The Lowest Route Into Computer Science
Candidates who scored below 150 are not eligible for university admission this session, but they can still study Computer Science. Polytechnics accept a minimum of 100 for the National Diploma (ND) in Computer Science, and colleges of education accept 100 for the NCE in Computer Science (usually paired with another subject, such as Mathematics).
The ND route is practical and job-focused. After the ND and a year of industrial training, a student can proceed to the Higher National Diploma (HND). An ND holder with a good result can also apply to a university through Direct Entry, often into 200 level. This makes the polytechnic route a realistic path to a Computer Science degree for candidates with low UTME scores.
Comparison Table: Computer Science Cut Off Marks 2026/2027
| Institution | Type | Location | Computer Science Entry Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal University Otuoke | Federal university | Bayelsa | 150 |
| CUSTECH, Osara | State university | Kogi | 150 (general screening score) |
| Federal University Dutse | Federal university | Jigawa | 150 general; about 170 to 180 for Computer Science |
| Federal University Lokoja | Federal university | Kogi | 160 |
| Ekiti State University | State university | Ekiti | 180 |
| ESUT | State university | Enugu | 200 |
| Imo State University | State university | Imo | 200 |
| Polytechnics (ND Computer Science) | Federal, state and private | Nationwide | 100 |
| Colleges of education (NCE) | Federal, state and private | Nationwide | 100 |
Why the Top Universities Ask for Much More
The older federal universities admit Computer Science candidates by aggregate score, which combines the UTME score with the post-UTME result (and sometimes the O’Level grades). Their figures are far above the national minimum. For 2026/2027, the University of Ibadan set its Computer Science cut-off at an aggregate of 74.125 on merit, with 60.00 for candidates from Educationally Less Developed States. The University of Lagos published a Computer Science merit cut-off of 82.05. A candidate needs a very high UTME score to reach these figures, which is why candidates with average scores do better at the newer federal and state universities listed above.
Admission Requirements for Computer Science
The cut-off mark is only one part of the requirement. Every Computer Science candidate must also meet the subject and O’Level conditions.
- O’Level: five credit passes in WAEC, NECO or NABTEB, in not more than two sittings, including English Language, Mathematics and Physics. Most universities also expect credits in Chemistry and one of Biology, Further Mathematics, Economics or Geography.
- UTME subjects: English Language, Mathematics and Physics, plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Agricultural Science or Geography, depending on the university.
- Direct Entry: an ND or HND in Computer Science or a related field, at upper credit or above for most universities, or two A’Level passes in Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, in addition to the O’Level requirement.
How to Move Your JAMB Choice to a School With a Lower Cut Off Mark
A candidate who chose a highly competitive university but scored close to 150 can still gain admission by changing institution. The steps are:
- Check the 2026/2027 Computer Science cut-off of the new school on its official website.
- Log in to the JAMB e-facility portal and buy the change of course or institution PIN.
- Change the first-choice institution (and the course, if needed) to the new school.
- Upload the O’Level result to JAMB CAPS through an accredited centre, if it is not there already.
- Apply for the new school’s post-UTME or screening and pay the screening fee on its portal.
- Check JAMB CAPS regularly and accept the admission offer when it appears.
Tips for Getting Computer Science Admission With a Low Score
- Apply to a school whose departmental Computer Science cut-off is at or below your score, not just its general cut-off.
- Prepare well for the post-UTME, because a strong screening score can lift a modest UTME score above the departmental cut-off.
- Choose a related second option, such as Information Technology, Cyber Security or Computer Science Education, in case Computer Science fills up.
- Pay only on the official school portal and ignore anyone who offers to “buy” admission.
- Keep an eye on the deadlines: 31 October 2026 for public universities and 30 November 2026 for private universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the lowest JAMB score for Computer Science in 2026? 150 at universities, which is the JAMB minimum, and 100 for the ND in Computer Science at polytechnics.
2. Can I study Computer Science with 150? Yes. Federal University Otuoke admits Computer Science candidates from 150, and some state and private universities screen at 150.
3. Which university accepts 160 for Computer Science? Federal University Lokoja sets 160 as the minimum for its 2026 screening, and Computer Science is one of its programmes.
4. Can I study Computer Science without Physics? No. Physics is a compulsory UTME subject and O’Level credit for Computer Science at Nigerian universities.
5. Is a polytechnic Computer Science certificate useful? Yes. The ND and HND lead to jobs in IT support and programming, and a good ND result can lead to Direct Entry into a university.
Final Thoughts
The schools with the lowest cut off mark for computer science for 2026/2027 are the newer federal and state universities that screen at 150 or 160, such as Federal University Otuoke, CUSTECH, Federal University Dutse and Federal University Lokoja, while polytechnics offer the lowest route of all at 100. A candidate who looks at the departmental cut-off, prepares for the screening and applies before the deadline has a real chance of admission. Before paying any fee, confirm the current cut-off and requirements on the school’s official admission portal.