Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is one of the largest federal universities in Nigeria, and Nursing Science sits in its College of Medical Sciences among the programmes with the strongest demand. Candidates who search for the ABU cut-off mark for Nursing Science find a general figure and a range of departmental estimates. This article explains which figure is confirmed, why the Nursing Science numbers differ across sources, and how ABU decides admission into the programme.
The Short Answer
The confirmed minimum UTME score at ABU Zaria for the 2026/2027 session is 180, and it applies to every undergraduate course, including Nursing Science. A candidate needs at least 180, and needs to choose ABU as first choice, to register for the post-UTME screening.
ABU does not publish a single fixed departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science in the way some universities do. The figures in circulation for the programme range from about 210 to 260, with 240 appearing most often. These are estimates based on past admission trends and are not an official ABU announcement. Candidates treat a UTME score near 240 or above as the competitive range and confirm the current position through ABU’s admission notices.
| Level | Figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum UTME score for screening | 180 | Official admission notice |
| Estimated competitive range for Nursing Science | About 240 and above | Unofficial estimate |
| Spread of figures quoted online for Nursing Science | About 210 to 260 | Unofficial; varies by source |
Why Nursing Science Figures Differ Across Sources
The spread between 210 and 260 has identifiable causes.
No fixed published departmental mark. ABU decides admission by ranking candidates after screening, and it has not issued a fixed departmental cut-off for each course in recent years. Sources that quote a number are projecting from earlier sessions.
Estimates presented as official figures. Some pages describe their departmental tables as official while stating, in the same article, that they are based on trends. The two claims do not fit together, and the departmental figures remain estimates.
Different measures. A figure may refer to a UTME score, an aggregate percentage, or a recommended target. A line such as “245 with a 62% aggregate” mixes two scales in one entry.
Mixing up related institutions. ABU Teaching Hospital in Zaria runs a separate School of Nursing that trains Registered Nurses, and it has its own entry requirement of 180 in UTME. That school is distinct from the Bachelor of Nursing Science programme in the university, and the two sets of figures are sometimes combined.
How ABU Decides Admission
ABU uses a combination of components and categories.
Scoring components. The admission aggregate draws on the candidate’s UTME score, the post-UTME screening score, and O’Level results. The weighting is set in the university’s admission notice for each session, and candidates read the current notice for the exact method.
Admission categories. ABU admits candidates under three categories, which are merit, catchment, and educationally less developed states. Each category has its own competitive threshold, and the merit threshold is typically the highest.
| Category | Meaning | Typical competitive position |
|---|---|---|
| Merit | Open competition across all states | Highest threshold |
| Catchment | Candidates from states in the university’s catchment area | Lower than merit |
| Educationally less developed states | Candidates from states classified as such | Lowest of the three |
The thresholds are set by the number of applicants, the admission quota for the programme, and overall performance in UTME and screening. They can change from year to year.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements for Nursing Science
A candidate for the Bachelor of Nursing Science programme needs the following.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum UTME score | 180 for screening eligibility; a higher score for competitive admission |
| UTME subjects | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| O’Level credits | At least five, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Institution choice | ABU selected as first choice |
| Post-UTME screening | Online registration and participation; the form for the 2026/2027 session costs ₦2,000 |
| Admission processing | Through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) |
Registration for the 2026/2027 screening opened from July 6, 2026. Candidates confirm any additional requirement, such as limits on the number of O’Level sittings, in ABU’s admission notice.
Where Nursing Science Sits Among ABU Health Programmes
ABU’s College of Medical Sciences covers Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Medical Rehabilitation, and several basic medical sciences. Estimates for these courses follow a consistent pattern: Medicine and Surgery has the highest competitive range, and Nursing Science and Pharmacy sit just below it.
| Programme | Commonly cited competitive range (UTME) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | About 275 and above |
| Pharmacy | About 240 to 250 |
| Nursing Science | About 240 and above |
| Medical Laboratory Science | About 220 |
| Courses with lower demand | 180 to 200 |
These ranges are estimates, and they help a candidate judge relative competitiveness. The university’s own notices are the reference for any decision.
Step-by-Step Admission Process
- The candidate writes UTME with English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and scores at least 180.
- The candidate selects ABU as first choice and Nursing Science as the course.
- The candidate registers for the post-UTME screening on the ABU portal, using the same course as on JAMB CAPS.
- The candidate sits the screening on the scheduled date.
- ABU computes the aggregate from UTME, screening, and O’Level results and ranks candidates within the programme and category.
- The university releases the admission list, and JAMB CAPS shows the admission status.
- Admitted candidates accept the offer and complete clearance and registration.
Consistency between the course chosen on JAMB CAPS and the course chosen at screening matters, because a mismatch can lead to disqualification at many universities.
Practical Targets for 2027 Applicants
The 2026/2027 position is a reference for the next cycle. A realistic plan has four parts.
Score well above the minimum. A UTME score of 180 only opens the screening. A score in the 240 to 260 range, or higher, puts a candidate in the competitive band for Nursing Science.
Strengthen the O’Level grades. The O’Level result contributes to the aggregate, so credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics matter. Candidates with the option to resit the examination consider whether better grades raise the total.
Prepare for the screening. The screening score also counts toward the aggregate. Revision of the four UTME subjects at the depth of the syllabus prepares candidates for the test.
Choose ABU as first choice and match the course. Eligibility depends on both.
Alternatives if the Score Falls Short
A candidate whose aggregate falls below the competitive range has several options:
- Apply for a related health programme at ABU with a lower threshold, subject to subject requirements.
- Apply for Nursing Science at another federal, state, or private university with a lower cut-off.
- Consider a school of nursing, including the one attached to the teaching hospital, for a Registered Nurse qualification. Its entry requirement is separate from the university programme.
- Use JAMB’s change of institution or course facility within the approved window.
- Retake the UTME and aim for a stronger score in the following cycle.
Career Path After Graduation
A graduate of Nursing Science holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree and sits the licensing examination of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to practise as a registered nurse. Career options include clinical nursing in hospitals, community and public health, midwifery after additional training, nursing education, administration, and postgraduate study. Registration with the council is a legal requirement for practice, and candidates confirm the current licensing steps with the council.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABU Zaria cut-off mark for Nursing Science?
The confirmed minimum UTME score is 180 for all courses. For Nursing Science, ABU does not publish a fixed departmental figure, and estimates of the competitive range run from about 210 to 260, with 240 and above cited most often.
Is 180 enough for Nursing Science at ABU?
A score of 180 qualifies a candidate for screening. It is below the range that usually leads to admission into Nursing Science.
Does ABU publish departmental cut-off marks?
Not as a fixed list in recent years. Candidates rely on ABU’s admission notices and the final admission list.
Is the ABU School of Nursing the same as the Nursing Science programme?
No. The School of Nursing at the teaching hospital trains Registered Nurses and has its own requirements. The Bachelor of Nursing Science is a university degree programme.
Where can a candidate confirm the current position?
On ABU’s official admission portal and announcements, and on JAMB CAPS for admission status.
Summary
ABU Zaria sets a confirmed minimum UTME score of 180 for every course in the 2026/2027 session, and Nursing Science requires much more to be competitive. ABU does not issue a fixed departmental cut-off, so the figures between 210 and 260 found online are estimates, with 240 and above the range cited most often. Admission depends on an aggregate of UTME, screening, and O’Level results, ranked within merit, catchment, and educationally less developed state categories. Candidates preparing for the 2027 cycle aim for a strong UTME score, secure good O’Level grades in the five relevant subjects, prepare for the screening, choose ABU as first choice, and confirm the current position through the university’s official channels.