The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates classified as underage, while stressing that the results do not automatically make them eligible for admission.
JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
Benjamin explained that candidates who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026, are regarded as underage for the 2026 admission exercise.
He said the results were released primarily to enable the affected candidates and their parents or guardians to ascertain their performance.
However, the board warned that the results cannot be used for admission or other official purposes unless the candidates successfully meet the conditions for exceptional consideration.
Under JAMB’s guidelines, an underage candidate seeking exceptional admission consideration must score a minimum of 320 in the UTME and achieve at least 80 percent in relevant SSCE subjects, where applicable.
The candidate must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of the institution of choice and pass a final assessment conducted by designated experts.
According to JAMB, the process is intended to identify candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity, rather than simply rewarding high UTME scores.
The board said the assessment process is still ongoing and noted that candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results must be given the opportunity to submit them for verification.
Benjamin said the final assessment stage would be scheduled and communicated after the release of the NECO results.
JAMB further warned parents and candidates against individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the board’s approved procedure.
It advised candidates who do not meet the prescribed conditions against presenting their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
Underage candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number they used to register for the UTME.
JAMB reiterated that sitting for the UTME and obtaining a score does not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not reached the prescribed admission age.
