Securing admission into Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, is a major milestone for thousands of aspiring students each year. As the federal university’s admission cycle for the 2025/2026 academic session begins, candidates often ask: “What UTME score is needed to qualify?” However, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has officially set its general JAMB UTME cut‑off mark, meaning candidates who scored benchmark and above in the 2025 UTME and has selected Nnamdi Azikiwe University as their first choice are eligible to register for the mandatory Post‑UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise.
The Historical Overview of Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University is one of Nigeria’s most prominent and dynamic federal universities, embodying a rich legacy of academic excellence, civic pride, and technological advancement. Its origins can be traced back to July 1980, when it was established as the Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH). It is an institution created to advance the scientific, engineering, and technological manpower needs of the then Anambra State and Nigeria as a whole. This formative vision laid a strong foundation for the institution’s trajectory as a multidisciplinary university.
However, a pivotal transformation occurred in July 1992, when the Federal Government of Nigeria took over the institution. This transition marked not only an administrative upgrade but also a symbolic rebranding. The university was officially renamed Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in honour of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President and one of Africa’s most revered statesmen and intellectuals. The renaming was more than ceremonial; it reflected the ideals of nationalism, intellectual freedom, and educational empowerment that Dr. Azikiwe championed throughout his life.
Moreover, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has expanded into a multi-campus university system, with its main campus in Awka, and satellite campuses in Nnewi, Agulu, and Ifite-Ogwari, each dedicated to specific academic disciplines and programmes. This decentralised structure enables the university to broaden its reach across Anambra State and the South-East geopolitical zone, fostering inclusive access to quality higher education.
Today, the university boasts a student population of over 45,000, a testament to its role as a leading centre of academic instruction and intellectual formation. These students are distributed across 16 faculties and more than 70 departments, encompassing a broad spectrum of knowledge areas. The faculties include Medicine, Law, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Social Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Biosciences, Physical Sciences, Health Sciences & Technology, and more. Each faculty is committed to delivering quality education, fostering innovative research, and nurturing well-rounded graduates capable of thriving in the 21st-century global environment. Nnamdi Azikiwe University is not only distinguished by its scale and scope but also by its impressive infrastructure, one of the most notable being the Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library. Named after the renowned medical doctor and former administrator of Anambra State, this central academic library is a true nerve centre of knowledge and inquiry within the university. The library supports the academic needs of the institution with extensive collections of print and digital resources. With an average of 3,000 daily visitors, the library’s functionality is bolstered by its electronic resource centre, medical branch, and dedicated spaces for research, group study, and faculty collaboration.
What sets Nnamdi Azikiwe University apart from many of its contemporaries is not just its size, but its consistent commitment to academic rigour, discipline, and societal impact. The university has maintained a commendable reputation for producing graduates who are not only intellectually sound but also ethically grounded and community-minded. Its academic community is renowned for research output in fields such as public health, engineering design, entrepreneurship, biomedical sciences, and environmental sustainability, many of which directly address pressing national and regional challenges.
This scholarly ethos has garnered the university a solid national and international reputation, consistently earning it a place among Nigeria’s top-ranked universities. UNIZIK has also built partnerships and linkages with global academic institutions, opening doors for student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, conferences, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. These partnerships include collaborations with institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Germany, and other parts of the world.
Equally commendable is the university’s role in community engagement and national development. Through its various outreach programmes and entrepreneurship initiatives, the university plays an active part in empowering local communities, fostering sustainable development, and encouraging innovation at the grassroots level. From agricultural extension services to medical missions and vocational training, UNIZIK exemplifies a university that extends its benefits beyond campus boundaries.
Furthermore, the university has invested in cultivating a conducive learning environment, with modern lecture theatres, technologically equipped laboratories, student hostels, sporting facilities, and digitalised administrative services. The introduction of virtual learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond illustrates the university’s agility in adapting to contemporary educational realities.
Eligibility and the General UTME Cut‑Off for Nnamdi Azikiwe University
- The 180‑Point Benchmark: In line with federal guidelines, UNIZIK requires a minimum UTME score of 180 for 2025 admission eligibility. Candidates must also have chosen Nnamdi Azikiwe University as their first choice in their JAMB registration to proceed to the next stage, which is ...‑UTME screening. This minimum cut‑off serves as an essential screening tool. However, it distinguishes those with adequate academic readiness from the broader UTME candidate pool.
- Screening Process and Aggregate Score: Contrary to universities that conduct a formal CBT exam, UNIZIK has discontinued traditional Post‑UTME exams for 2025/2026. Admission will be based instead on academic record screening, which includes UTME scores, O’Level results, and programme-specific aggregate calculations. Departmental or faculty cut‑off marks are applied in tandem with these aggregates. Candidates must meet both the general UTME threshold and their chosen programme’s cut‑offs to stand a chance at admission.
While the university has pegged its general cut-off mark at 180, it is important to understand that individual departments apply their own thresholds based on programme demand and applicant performance. Courses such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Law generally require far higher aggregate scores.
For example, in recent admission cycles, Medicine and Surgery typically required an aggregate above 280, while Law and Pharmacy ranged from 250 to 270. Meanwhile, programmes like Mass Communication, Political Science, and Engineering often fall between 180 and 220. Courses in Arts, Education, and Agriculture tend to accept aggregates from 150 to 200, depending on available slots.
Understanding UNIZIK’s Aggregate Scoring System
Nnamdi Azikiwe University uses a weighted system to calculate candidates’ final aggregate score, drawing equally from UTME and O’Level performance. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
-
UTME score is scaled to 50%.
-
O’Level results (usually top 5 subjects relevant to the course) are graded and also scaled to 50%.
Hypothetical Example:
-
UTME Score: 240
-
Scaled: (240 ÷ 400) × 50 = 30 points
-
O’Level: mostly A1–B2 in core subjects = approx. 18 points
-
Total Aggregate: 30 + 18 = 48/100
Departments will then assess applicants based on the aggregate score compared to their internal cut-off mark.
Catchment Areas and Admission Considerations
As a federal institution, UNIZIK applies the federal catchment policy during admissions. Candidates from states within the South-East region—particularly Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi—may benefit from catchment prioritisation.
Additionally, the university adheres to national guidelines that support Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS), offering added consideration to applicants from states such as Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe. While merit remains central, these policies promote equitable access across geopolitical region
READ ALSO:
What Happens After Meeting the UNIZIK Cut-Off Mark ?
Once the university officially opens its Post‑UTME portal (after JAMB releases results), eligible candidates will be required to complete the online screening. The steps typically include:
-
Payment of a non-refundable Post‑UTME fee (usually ₦2,000)
-
Uploading of WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results and JAMB result slip
-
Verification of personal data
The portal usually remains open for 2 to 3 weeks. Candidates are advised to monitor the official website https://unizik.edu.ng for timely updates.
Quick Checklist for Prospective UNIZIK Applicants:
-
JAMB UTME score of 180 or higher
-
Nnamdi Azikiwe University selected as First Choice
-
Valid O’Level results in required subjects
-
Await official Post‑UTME announcement on https://unizik.edu.ng
-
Research past departmental cut‑off trends for your intended course
-
Prepare all required documents for screening upload
-
Check if you fall under Catchment or ELDS categories
Wrap Up
Scoring 180 in the 2025 UTME makes you eligible to apply. However, it is not a guarantee of admission into Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s prestigious programmes. Admission success also depends on meeting the departmental thresholds, strong O’Level results, and satisfying overall aggregate criteria. With strategic preparation, high academic performance, and awareness of cut‑off benchmarks, securing admission into Nnamdi Azikiwe University is well within reach.