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.
The board, however, warned that accessing the results does not mean the candidates are automatically eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued on Saturday by JAMB’s Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Fabian Benjamin, the board defined an underage candidate as an applicant who would be below 16 years of age by September 30, 2026.
According to JAMB, the release of the results is primarily to enable the affected candidates, as well as their parents and guardians, to know their UTME performance.
The examination body stressed that the results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who eventually satisfy the conditions for exceptional admission.
Conditions for exceptional admission
JAMB said admission of underage candidates would only be considered for those who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity.
Such candidates are required to undergo multiple stages of assessment and verification before they can be considered for admission.
One of the major requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, alongside a minimum of 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination subjects, where applicable.
Candidates must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment conducted by experts.
JAMB said the rigorous process was designed to distinguish genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who merely recorded high UTME scores.
Assessment process ongoing
The board said the exceptional admission process remains ongoing, with some stages of assessment and verification yet to be completed.
It added that candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results would be permitted to submit the results for verification before 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 said.
JAMB explained that the NECO results had not yet been released and would therefore be taken into consideration before the final assessment is conducted.
“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 said.
The board also warned candidates, parents and guardians to be wary of individuals who may seek to exploit the process by promising admission for underage candidates outside the approved procedure.
JAMB specifically cautioned candidates who do not meet the requirements against presenting their UTME results to tertiary institutions or individuals in an attempt to obtain admission.
The board reiterated that sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result does not constitute a guarantee of admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.
It said the exceptional admission exercise would continue to be conducted in a transparent, rigorous and merit-based manner.
