Polytechnic Admission in Nigeria 2026/2027: ND via JAMB, HND, Cut-Off Marks & Requirements

Posted on November 6, 2026

Updated on 6 November 2026 · How we verify

Quick answer: Polytechnic ND admission is through JAMB UTME with a national minimum of 100 (2026/2027); most polytechnics set 120–150. O’Level: five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics in not more than two sittings (the NBTE standard; a few health-technology programmes accept four), with Physics and Chemistry for engineering. HND is applied for directly with an ND (Lower Credit) and one year of IT — and from September 2026 the NBTE has directed that HND admissions also be processed through JAMB.

Last updated: November 2026 · Academic session: 2026/2027 · UTME year: 2026

ND admission step by step

  1. Register for UTME (JAMB registration guide) choosing the polytechnic and ND programme; subjects per the brochure.
  2. Score at least the polytechnic’s cut-off (national minimum 100).
  3. Buy the screening form (₦2,000–₦3,000), upload O’Level, sit CBT or document screening.
  4. Accept your offer on CAPS within four weeks; CAPS deadline for polytechnics 2026/2027: 31 December 2026.

HND admission

HND entry requires an ND (at least Lower Credit) in a related programme plus one year of industrial training; apply on the polytechnic’s portal and, from 2026/2027, expect your admission to be processed on JAMB CAPS under the NBTE directive. On 9 September 2026 the NBTE directed that JAMB should process HND admissions in polytechnics, colleges of nursing sciences and health-technology institutions from the 2026/2027 session. Implementation details were still being published in November 2026 — check your polytechnic’s advert.

2026 changes for polytechnic aspirants

  • ND programmes in non-technology agriculture courses also no longer require UTME from 2026/2027 (JAMB registration still required).
  • On 15 October 2026 the Senate amended the Federal Polytechnics Act to let federal polytechnics award B.Tech degrees subject to NUC accreditation; it still needed House concurrence and presidential assent in November 2026, so HND remains the polytechnic award for now.
  • The NUC discontinued HND-to-BSc top-up programmes (May 2026); use Direct Entry into a regular degree instead.

Fees

Federal polytechnics charge roughly ₦45,000–₦120,000 per session for ND (reported 2025/2026); state polytechnics ₦50,000–₦180,000; private more. See each polytechnic’s fees page.

Polytechnics on JAMB Admission

Related JAMB guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the JAMB cut-off for polytechnics?

100 (2026/2027); institutions set 100–150.

Is HND through JAMB?

Historically no; the NBTE directed in September 2026 that HND admissions move to JAMB from 2026/2027 — check your polytechnic’s advert.

Can I enter polytechnic without JAMB?

Only for nd programmes in non-technology agriculture courses also no longer require utme from 2026/2027, part-time and HND programmes.

How many credits for ND?

Five o’level credits including english language and mathematics in not more than two sittings (the nbte standard; a few health-technology programmes accept four), with physics and chemistry for engineering.

Spotted a change JAMB has announced that is not reflected here? Drop a comment — this guide is reviewed after every JAMB announcement.