The Management of the Federal University Dutse (FUD) has issued a press release to clarify misconceptions surrounding the University’s grading system following a viral memo that was wrongly interpreted to suggest that FUD’s pass mark is 25 per cent.

According to the University Management, the interpretation is false and misleading. The Management explained that the grading system of Federal University Dutse, like other Nigerian universities, is regulated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and strictly guided by the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).

The official FUD grading system is as follows:

70 – 100: A

60 – 69: B

50 – 59: C

45 – 49: D

40 – 44: E

0 – 39: F

Management emphasized that the official pass mark at FUD is 40–44 (Grade E) and not 25 per cent, as widely circulated on social media.

Explanation of 25% Concessional Pass

The University further explained that the widely misunderstood 25% concessional pass is not a general pass mark but a special provision applied under very strict academic conditions.

The concessional pass applies only to one outstanding course and is granted to a student who has exhausted the approved residency period for their programme. For instance, in a five-year programme such as Agriculture, a student who still has carryover courses after five years proceeds to Spillover I and, if necessary, Spillover II.

At the final semester of Spillover II, if the student still has only one outstanding course, the University Senate may grant a concessional pass on that single course, provided the student meets the following conditions:

The student must have duly registered for the course

Must have at least 75% lecture attendance

Must have participated in tests and continuous assessments (CAs)

Must have written the examination

Must score a minimum of 25% in that particular course

The Management stressed that if a student has more than one outstanding course at the end of the residency period, such a student is automatically withdrawn.

It was also noted that concessional pass is a common academic practice across universities in Nigeria and does not in any way indicate a lowering of academic standards.

Management reaffirmed that Federal University Dutse remains committed to its long-standing tradition of academic excellence, driven by the quality of its academic staff and the achievements of its graduates both locally and internationally.

The University stated that there is no justification whatsoever to compromise its academic standards or reputation.