The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates who were below the minimum admission age, while warning that the release of the results does not automatically qualify them for admission.
The development was disclosed by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the examination body, the affected candidates can now access their UTME results, but only those who satisfy the requirements for exceptional consideration will be allowed to proceed with the admission process.
JAMB clarifies status of underage candidates
JAMB had earlier withheld the results of underage candidates as part of its policy for dealing with candidates who do not meet the general minimum age requirement for admission.
For the 2026 admission exercise, the Board defines an underage candidate as any candidate who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.
The minimum age requirement means that candidates who will not have attained the age of 16 by the stipulated date are generally not eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
However, JAMB maintains an exceptional pathway for candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic ability.
Benjamin therefore stressed that candidates should not interpret the release of their results as an indication that they have automatically become eligible for admission.
Result release does not guarantee admission
The JAMB spokesperson explained that the results were released to the affected candidates, but admission consideration would remain subject to the Board’s established requirements.
This means an underage candidate could receive a UTME score and still not be admitted simply because the result has been released.
JAMB’s policy provides that underage candidates seeking exceptional consideration must demonstrate a very high level of academic performance across the required stages of assessment.
The Board’s 2026 registration guidelines state that candidates below 16 years of age may be considered in exceptional circumstances, provided they meet the specified performance requirements.
Who qualifies for exceptional consideration?
JAMB has introduced the exceptional-candidate route for exceptionally gifted young candidates who are below the normal admission age.
For the 2026 exercise, the Board had indicated that an underage candidate must achieve at least 80 per cent in the required assessments.
JAMB also previously announced that underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2026 UTME would be invited to proceed to the next stage of the assessment process at their chosen institutions.
The Board explained that candidates who crossed the relevant threshold would have their details forwarded to their chosen institutions for further screening.
The institutions are expected to conduct their own assessment and communicate the outcome to JAMB.
This additional process is intended to ensure that only genuinely exceptional candidates are recommended for admission before the Board gives final consideration.
Underage candidates must meet multiple requirements
The exceptional admission process is not based solely on a candidate’s UTME score.
JAMB’s 2026 guidelines state that candidates below 16 who are considered under exceptional circumstances must obtain at least 80 per cent in UTME/A-Level, Post-UTME, Senior School Certificate examination requirements and the exceptional candidate assessment.
This means that obtaining a very high UTME score is only one part of the process.
Candidates who meet the initial UTME requirement may still have to demonstrate their academic ability through subsequent assessments.
The arrangement is designed to prevent the exceptional admission provision from becoming a general route for underage candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions.
What the result release means for candidates
The latest development is important for underage candidates who had been unable to view their 2026 UTME scores.
Rather than seeing the release of their results as an automatic admission opportunity, candidates and their parents are expected to understand that the result is simply one stage of the process.
Those who meet JAMB’s requirements for exceptional consideration can continue with the relevant screening process, while candidates who do not satisfy the requirements cannot rely on the released UTME result to secure admission while still below the prescribed age.
JAMB has maintained that the age requirement applies generally to candidates seeking admission for the academic session, with the exceptional provision reserved for candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability.
JAMB’s minimum age policy
The Board’s 2026 registration guidelines clearly state that candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are generally eligible to apply for the 2026 UTME and admission exercise.
Candidates below that age fall outside the general admission category unless they qualify under the exceptional-candidate provision.
The policy is intended to ensure that admission into tertiary institutions follows a consistent age requirement while still allowing exceptionally gifted younger candidates to be considered.
JAMB has therefore urged candidates and parents to pay attention to the difference between sitting for the UTME, receiving a UTME result and actually becoming eligible for admission.
Underage candidates advised to follow JAMB’s process
Candidates who have received their results are expected to follow official instructions from JAMB and their chosen institutions where applicable.
Those who have been identified for further assessment should complete the required stages rather than assuming that a high UTME score alone is sufficient.
JAMB has previously instructed candidates who crossed the initial threshold to ensure that their O’Level results are properly uploaded to the JAMB portal and to liaise with their chosen institutions regarding subsequent screening.
The Board’s Central Admissions Processing System also continues to process admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session, with institutions and candidates progressing through the various stages of the admission process.
Final clarification from JAMB
The release of the underage candidates’ UTME results therefore does not amount to a blanket waiver of the minimum admission age.
Only candidates who satisfy the conditions established for exceptional consideration can be considered for admission before attaining the general minimum age.
Parents and candidates are consequently advised not to assume that receiving a result means an admission offer is guaranteed.
For candidates who qualify under the exceptional category, the next step is to complete the required assessments and institutional screening.
For everyone else, the general age requirement remains applicable.
JAMB’s latest clarification is expected to help prevent confusion among candidates and parents who may have interpreted the release of the previously withheld results as automatic confirmation of admission eligibility.
The Board has reiterated that the exceptional admission route is intended specifically for candidates who can demonstrate outstanding academic ability and satisfy all the required conditions.
