JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Results of Underage Candidates, Begins Exceptional Admission Process By Beauty Akporido Aroh
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of all underage candidates who sat for the examination, while the process for admitting exceptionally performing candidates in the category remains ongoing.
The Board said the release of the results is in line with its established policy on the participation of candidates below the prescribed admission age, stressing that the release is primarily to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance.
JAMB defines an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as at September 30, 2026.
However, the Board cautioned that the release of the results does not automatically make all underage candidates eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.
According to JAMB, the results of underage candidates cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who satisfy the stringent requirements established for exceptional consideration.
The Board had earlier stipulated that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet the prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.
It therefore warned candidates who do not meet the requirements against presenting their results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
JAMB said the exceptional admission process is deliberately rigorous and involves multiple stages of assessment designed to determine whether candidates possess the academic maturity and exceptional ability required to qualify for admission despite their age.
Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, as well as a minimum of 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.
Candidates under consideration must also satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo the prescribed final assessment by experts.
The Board explained that the rigorous process was designed to separate genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who may have simply recorded good performances in the UTME.
JAMB stressed that the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates has not been concluded, as some stages of assessment and verification are still ongoing.
The Board said it would be unreasonable to conclude the exercise without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results the opportunity to present their results for verification.
It noted that the NECO results are yet to be released and that the Board would therefore await their release before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.
JAMB said that immediately the NECO results are released, it would fix and announce a date for the final assessment of the exceptionally performing underage candidates.
The Board emphasised that the process goes beyond UTME performance, describing it as a comprehensive assessment aimed at ensuring that only candidates who genuinely satisfy all the prescribed requirements are considered for admission.
It consequently urged parents, guardians, candidates and members of the public to be wary of individuals claiming to have the ability to secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process.
JAMB reiterated that sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result do not, in themselves, guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.
The Board assured the public that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in keeping with its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that only candidates who meet the established requirements are admitted.
