The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates who were below the prescribed admission age for viewing.
However, the board cautioned that simply viewing the results does not automatically qualify candidates for admission to postsecondary institutions.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by JAMB’s Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Fabian Benjamin, an underage candidate is any applicant who would be under the age of 16 on September 30, 2026.
The board stated that the announcement was primarily designed to inform candidates, parents, and guardians about their UTME results.
It emphasized that the findings may not be utilized for admission or any other official purpose unless the candidates met the criteria for extraordinary admission.
The board stated that only those who display excellent academic ability and maturity will be selected for admission after multiple steps of examination and verification.
Among the requirements are a minimum UTME score of 320 and at least 80% in the respective Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination disciplines, if applicable.
Such candidates must also meet their chosen universities’ Post-UTME standards and face a final review by specialists before being accepted for admission.
JAMB stated that the demanding approach was aimed at identifying truly remarkable underage candidates from those who simply performed well in the UTME.
It stated that the admission procedure for exceptional underage candidates was still in progress, with several phases of assessment and verification remaining to be completed.
JAMB stated that candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council results would be able to present them for verification prior to the final assessment.
“The Board noted that it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without allowing candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results to present and have their results verified,” the statement noted.
It stated that the NECO findings were still to be disclosed and would thus be examined before the final assessment.
“As soon as the NECO results are released, the Board will fix and announce a date for the final stage of the assessment of the exceptionally performing underage candidates,” it stated.
The testing authority warned parents, guardians, and applicants about anyone who might try to manipulate the system by promising admission to underage candidates outside of the established protocol.
JAMB warned candidates who did not meet the conditions against disclosing their seen UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to get admission.
JAMB emphasized that sitting the UTME and earning a result did not guaranty admission, especially for those who did not meet the admission age.
The board stated that the extraordinary admissions process will remain transparent, rigorous, and merit-based.
