Southern Atlantic University (SAU), Uyo has not published a cut-off mark for Petroleum Science. The only official figure is 150, JAMB’s 2026 minimum UTME score for every Nigerian university, and SAU’s founder told The Mirror in August 2026 that candidates with JAMB scores above 150 can apply. SAU is a new private university: it received its provisional licence from the Federal Executive Council on 3 March 2025 and took its pioneer students in 2025/2026. SAU named Petroleum Science among its programmes in local press reports in September and October 2025. Petroleum Science is the least documented of its courses: JAMB’s brochure reprint has no course of that exact name.
2027/2028 update: SAU cut-off marks usually stay the same from one year to the next, so the figures on this page are what 2027/2028 candidates should plan with. They come from the latest official notice (2026/2027). If the 2027/2028 notice changes anything, we will update this page.
Because SAU is so new, there is less public information about it than about older universities, and I have marked clearly what is official, what comes from news reports and what is my advice. Below you will find the subjects JAMB lists for Petroleum Science, a safe target score, how SAU admits, the comparison with other Akwa Ibom universities and the checks I would make before paying.
SAU cut-off mark for Petroleum Science at a glance
| Item | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SAU cut-off for Petroleum Science | Not published | No SAU notice found (checked 3 November 2026) |
| JAMB minimum for all universities (2026 UTME) | 150 | Official (JAMB policy meeting, 11 May 2026) |
| What SAU has said | JAMB scores above 150 can apply | Founder, quoted by The Mirror (23 August 2026) |
| Safe target score | 165 and above | My advice, not an SAU rule |
| UTME subjects | English, Chemistry plus two of Physics, Biology, Mathematics (closest course) | Closest JAMB course (Petroleum Chemistry); not confirmed for SAU |
| O’level | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (closest course) | JAMB brochure general line |
| Degree | B.Sc. Petroleum Science | The Mirror |
| Licence | Provisional, FEC approval of 3 March 2025 | NAN (3 March 2025) |
| NUC programme accreditation | None yet (new programme) | Not in NUC accreditation results to 2025 |
| Tuition | Not published; a 30% reduction was announced | The Mirror (23 August 2026) |
| 2026/2027 admission deadline | 30 November 2026 (private universities) | JAMB, via NAN (11 May 2026) |
What we know about Southern Atlantic University
- Licence: one of 11 private universities given provisional licences by the Federal Executive Council on 3 March 2025 (NAN).
- Location: Airport Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Mirror gives the address as Km 50, Airport Road.
- People: the founder and Chancellor is Pastor Bassey James and the Pro-Chancellor is Senator Ita Enang. The Mirror has reported Prof. Ephraim Edem as Vice-Chancellor.
- First students: SAU admitted its pioneer set in 2025/2026, was on the JAMB portal by October 2025 and scheduled its first matriculation for 11 April 2026.
- Programmes: 15 B.Sc. programmes, according to The Mirror (March and August 2026). Agriculture and other service courses are described as planned.
- Not the polytechnic: Southern Atlantic Polytechnic in Uyo is a separate institution. I found no evidence that it became SAU.
Where Petroleum Science appears in SAU’s announcements
| Report | Is Petroleum Science named? |
|---|---|
| The Mirror, 4 September 2025 (admission opens) | Yes |
| The Mirror, 11 October 2025 (SAU on the JAMB portal) | Yes |
| The Mirror, 11 March 2026 (15 programmes) | Not among the 10 named |
| The Mirror, 23 August 2026 (15 programmes) | Not among the 10 named |
Petroleum Science was named in both 2025 reports. The 2026 reports list only 10 of the 15 programmes by name and Petroleum Science is not among them, though the total of 15 matches the 2025 list plus Public Administration. That suggests it is still offered, but you should confirm it on JAMB before you register.
I could not find an official SAU website, a published admission notice or a JAMB brochure listing for SAU. All of the programme information above comes from The Mirror, a newspaper based in Uyo. That is why the most important step for any SAU applicant is to check that the course shows for SAU on JAMB CAPS or the JAMB e-brochure.
SAU Petroleum Science cut-off: what has been published
| Session | Figure | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/2027 | Not published | SAU’s own cut-off for Petroleum Science | No SAU notice found |
| 2026/2027 | 150 | JAMB’s minimum UTME score for every university | JAMB 2026 policy meeting (NAN, 11 May 2026) |
| 2026/2027 | Above 150 | What SAU’s founder said about who can apply | The Mirror, 23 August 2026 |
| 2025/2026 (pioneer year) | Not published | No departmental figure in any report | The Mirror, September and October 2025 |
So treat 150 as the floor and nothing more. SAU is filling its first classes, so it is unlikely to set a high bar in its early years, but no figure has been published and I would not rely on scores in the low 150s.
Safe target score for Petroleum Science at SAU (my advice)
This is my judgement as an admissions adviser for a new private university with small classes. It is not an SAU rule.
| Your UTME score | My read for Petroleum Science at SAU |
|---|---|
| Below 150 | Not eligible for any university course this session |
| 150 to 154 | Eligible. A new university may admit here, but you have little margin |
| 155 to 164 | Reasonable with clean O’level grades |
| 165 to 194 | Good. This is the range I would aim for |
| 195 and above | Strong; also gives you a real chance at UNIUYO or AKSU |
For the 2027 UTME I would aim for at least 165. Demand is moderate; the subject line and the course listing are the bigger questions.
UTME subject combination and O’level for Petroleum Science at SAU
| Requirement | Closest JAMB course: Petroleum Chemistry |
|---|---|
| UTME subjects | No JAMB brochure page for “Petroleum Science” was found. The closest, Petroleum Chemistry, needs Use of English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics |
| O’level | Petroleum Chemistry line: five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| Direct Entry | Petroleum Chemistry line: two A-level passes in Chemistry and one of Physics, Mathematics or Biology; ND or NCE with good grades |
| SAU-specific remark | None found. SAU does not appear in the brochure remarks Myschool reprints |
| Sittings | Not stated by SAU; most universities accept two |
This is the one SAU course where I cannot give you JAMB’s exact line. Myschool’s brochure reprint has Petroleum Chemistry, Energy and Petroleum Studies, Geology and Petroleum Studies, and several Petroleum Engineering pages, but no “Petroleum Science”. When you check SAU on JAMB, note the exact course name and its subject line.
Chemistry is the safe anchor: every petroleum-related science course I checked includes it. English, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics satisfies Petroleum Chemistry’s line and keeps engineering-type lines open too. At O’level, get all five science credits.
How admission into SAU works
From what SAU has told the press, admission runs through JAMB: you apply on the JAMB portal at an accredited CBT centre, and candidates who chose another school can change their institution to SAU at a CBT centre. SAU has not published a Post-UTME test, a screening fee, a form price or dates for 2026/2027.
| Detail | SAU 2026/2027 |
|---|---|
| Route | JAMB portal and accredited CBT centres |
| Change of institution | Allowed at any accredited CBT centre (The Mirror, 23 August 2026) |
| Who can apply | JAMB scores above 150, as reported |
| Screening or Post-UTME | Not published |
| Tuition | Not published; 30% reduction announced in August 2026 |
| Payment plan | “Pay What You Have” flexible plan, as reported; terms not published |
Worked example (illustrative)
With no published formula, the useful sum is the gap between your score, the 150 floor and my safe target of 165. These candidates are made up.
Take Ekomobong, who scored 171 and has B3 in Chemistry, C4 in Physics, C4 in Mathematics, C5 in Biology and C6 in English from one sitting.
- Eligibility: 171 minus 150 = 21. Ekomobong clears the JAMB floor by 21 marks.
- Against my safe target: 171 minus 165 = 6. Ekomobong sits 6 marks above the score I would call safe.
- O’level check: all five science credits.
- What I would advise: confirm the exact course name and subject line for SAU on JAMB, then apply.
Nsidibe scored 162. 162 minus 150 = 12, so the score itself is enough to be considered. She took Biology, Chemistry and Agricultural Science. That may or may not fit SAU’s line, so she must check the listing before relying on it.
Your chances of getting Petroleum Science at SAU
A university in its second admission year usually has more places than applicants in most courses, and SAU is advertising fee cuts and a flexible payment plan to attract students. If you clear 150 with the right subjects and clean O’level grades, your chances of an offer are good. The two risks to check are whether the course is on JAMB’s list for SAU and how new the programme is.
If the course is listed for SAU and your subjects fit, your chances with 160 or more are good. The uncertainty here is about the course itself, not the competition.
The same course at other Akwa Ibom universities
| University | Type | 2026/2027 minimum |
|---|---|---|
| University of Uyo (UNIUYO) | Federal | 150, with UNIUYO as first choice (UNIUYO 2026/2027 notice). Petroleum Engineering, an engineering degree with different subjects |
| Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA) | Federal | 160 (declared at the JAMB 2026 policy meeting). Petroleum and Gas Engineering |
| Topfaith University, Mkpatak | Private | No published figure; JAMB floor of 150 applies. Petroleum and Gas Engineering, full NUC accreditation to 2029 |
JAMB set 31 October 2026 as the 2026/2027 deadline for public universities; that date has now passed. Private universities, SAU included, have until 30 November 2026.
How to apply for Petroleum Science at SAU, step by step
- Get your JAMB profile code: send NIN, a space and your 11-digit NIN to 55019 or 66019 from the line linked to your NIN.
- Check the course is listed for SAU: at a CBT centre or on your JAMB profile, confirm that Petroleum Science appears under Southern Atlantic University. If it does not, JAMB cannot process the admission.
- Register or change your choice: pick Petroleum Science with English, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics and make SAU your first choice, or do a JAMB change of institution to SAU.
- Upload your O’level to CAPS: at an accredited CBT centre. Check that English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology all show.
- Contact SAU: SAU has no published portal, so get admission instructions from the university itself at its Uyo campus. Do not use phone numbers posted on forums.
- Accept on CAPS: log in at efacility.jamb.gov.ng, choose Check Admission Status and accept. Our JAMB CAPS guide explains each status.
- Get the fees in writing before paying: ask for the tuition, acceptance fee and the terms of any reduction or payment plan on an official SAU document, then pay only to an account in SAU’s name.
Confirm on CAPS first
SAU’s course list comes from local news reports, not an official notice. Before you pay anything, make sure Petroleum Science at Southern Atlantic University shows on your JAMB CAPS profile. Every genuine university admission in Nigeria appears on CAPS.
Studying Petroleum Science at SAU
SAU has not named its faculties or described the Petroleum Science curriculum. A B.Sc. in a petroleum science normally runs for four years in Nigeria and sits between chemistry, geology and engineering.
Approval and accreditation
SAU holds a provisional licence, the first stage for a new private university in Nigeria, granted by the Federal Executive Council on 3 March 2025. SAU’s founder has said the university has the approvals it needs, but I did not see an NUC letter approving individual programmes. Programme accreditation is a later step: the NUC inspects a programme after it has run for some years, and the NUC’s Accreditation Results 1990 to 2025 has no SAU entries. Programme accreditation: none yet.
Because “Petroleum Science” does not match a JAMB brochure course I could find, I cannot tell you how JAMB lists it for SAU. That is the single most important thing to check.
What you study
- Foundation: chemistry, physics, mathematics and geology basics.
- Petroleum chemistry: composition of crude oil and gas, refining and petrochemicals.
- Upstream basics: petroleum geology, reservoir fluids and exploration methods.
- Environment and safety: pollution control, health, safety and environment (HSE) in the oil industry.
Careers
Graduates can work in oil and gas laboratories, refineries, quality control, environmental monitoring and HSE roles, and in regulators. Many go on to a master’s in petroleum engineering or geoscience. Akwa Ibom’s oil-producing areas make this a natural local choice.
Related SAU courses
- SAU cut-off mark for Computer Science
- SAU Physics with Electronics cut-off mark
- SAU Microbiology cut-off mark
For UTME revision, start with our JAMB Chemistry syllabus.
Mistakes to avoid when applying to SAU
- No Chemistry: every related course line includes it.
- Not checking the exact JAMB course name: it decides your subject line.
- Paying before CAPS: an offer that is not on CAPS is not an admission.
- Mixing up SAU and Southern Atlantic Polytechnic: they are different schools.
SAU Petroleum Science cut-off mark: frequently asked questions
What is the cut-off mark for Petroleum Science at SAU? SAU has not published one. JAMB’s floor is 150 and I would aim for 165.
What subjects are needed for Petroleum Science? JAMB’s brochure has no course with that exact name. The closest, Petroleum Chemistry, needs English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics.
Is Petroleum Science the same as Petroleum Engineering? No. Petroleum Engineering is a B.Eng. with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Petroleum Science is a B.Sc. closer to chemistry and geology.
Does SAU still offer Petroleum Science? It was named in SAU’s 2025 reports but not among the 10 named in 2026. Confirm it on JAMB.
Sources and updates
SAU’s provisional licence comes from the News Agency of Nigeria (3 March 2025). The programme list, the JAMB route, the address, the people named and the matriculation date come from The Mirror’s reports of 4 September 2025, 11 October 2025, 11 March 2026 and 23 August 2026; the August 2026 report is the source for the 30% tuition reduction, the payment plan and the threshold of scores above 150. Subject requirements come from Myschool’s reprint of JAMB’s brochure page for Petroleum Chemistry, which has no SAU remark. The national minimum of 150 and the 30 November 2026 deadline for private universities come from the News Agency of Nigeria (11 May 2026). The NUC position comes from the NUC’s Accreditation Results 1990 to 2025. Comparison figures for other Akwa Ibom universities come from their own 2026/2027 notices or reprints. The safe target score and the worked example are my advice. Checked on 3 November 2026; this page will be updated when SAU publishes an official notice.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
