JAMB releases 2026 UTME results of underage candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates who are below the prescribed minimum admission age of 16 years.

The board, however, said the release of the results is only to enable the candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance and does not confer eligibility for admission.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB said an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise is anyone who will be less than 16 years old by 30 September.

Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019, using the same telephone number they used to register for the UTME.

JAMB said results released under the arrangement could not be used for admission or any other official purpose, except for candidates who meet the requirements for exceptional consideration.

“Participation in the UTME and the release of a candidate’s result do not, in themselves, guarantee admission,” the statement said.

Why JAMB withheld the results

The release follows months of withholding the results of underage candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME.

JAMB said more than 38,000 underage candidates registered for the 2026 UTME. Last year, 41,027 candidates sought consideration under the special underage category in the 2025 UTME.

When JAMB began releasing the 2026 UTME results in April, candidates below the age threshold who attempted to check their scores received a “No Result Yet” message.

The board said the decision was deliberate and in line with its policy that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by 30 September are ordinarily eligible to register for and sit the UTME.

However, JAMB allows a narrow exception for exceptionally brilliant candidates who are below 16 but can demonstrate that they are academically and otherwise ready for tertiary education.

The board had therefore said the results of the underage candidates would remain withheld until the exceptional admission assessment was completed.

How the exceptional admission process works

JAMB said candidates must first score at least 320 out of 400 in the UTME to proceed to the next stage.

They must then demonstrate strong performance in other areas, including at least 80 per cent in the relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable, and meet the required Post-UTME standards of their chosen institutions.

They must also undergo a final assessment conducted by experts before they can be classified as exceptionally gifted and considered for admission.

JAMB has also said that underage candidates are required to undergo dedicated Post-UTME screening, even in universities where the general Post-UTME exercise has been suspended.

How JAMB selected gifted candidates in 2025

Last year, only 85 of the 41,027 underage candidates who sought consideration for admission eventually qualified.

JAMB explained that the process began with the selection of 599 candidates out of the 41,027 who scored at least 80 per cent (or 320) in the UTME, making them eligible to proceed to further assessment.

The 599 candidates were subjected to further scrutiny, including verification of their school certificates and Post-UTME performance. That process produced 182 finalists, who subsequently underwent verification, interviews and further screening.

JAMB eventually cleared 85 candidates for exceptional admission after the final assessment, which included written assessments and face-to-face interviews.

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2026 assessment still ongoing

JAMB said the 2026 exceptional admission process has not been concluded.

The board said it would wait for the release of this year’s National Examinations Council (NECO) results before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.

It added that a date for the final assessment will be announced after the release of the NECO results.

JAMB said only candidates who successfully complete all stages of the exceptional admission process and satisfy the prescribed requirements will be considered for admission.