The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for candidates who are under the minimum admission age of 16 years.
However, the board said these results are only to help candidates and their parents or guardians see their scores. This does not mean they are eligible for admission.
In a statement from its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB stated that an underage candidate is someone who will be younger than 16 years old by 30 September.
Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019. They should use the same phone number they used to register for the UTME.
JAMB mentioned that the results released cannot be used for admission or any official purpose. This is only for candidates who meet special requirements for 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
This release comes after months of holding back the results of underage candidates who took the 2026 UTME.
JAMB said over 38,000 underage candidates registered for the 2026 UTME. Last year, 41,027 candidates sought consideration in the special underage category for the 2025 UTME.
When JAMB started releasing the 2026 UTME results in April, candidates who were below the age limit got a “No Result Yet” message when they tried to check their scores.
The board explained that this decision was intentional and followed its policy. Only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by 30 September can normally register and sit for the UTME.
However, JAMB allows a small exception for exceptionally talented candidates who are below 16 but can show they are ready for tertiary education.
The board had said the results for underage candidates would stay on hold until the exceptional admission assessment was finished.
How the exceptional admission process works
JAMB explained that candidates must first score at least 320 out of 400 in the UTME to move to the next stage.
They also need to perform strongly in other areas. This includes scoring at least 80 percent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where needed, and meeting the Post-UTME standards of their chosen schools.
Candidates must go through a final assessment by experts before they can be labeled as exceptionally gifted and considered for admission.
JAMB added that underage candidates must go through special Post-UTME screening. This applies even in universities where the general Post-UTME exercise has been put on hold.
How JAMB selected gifted candidates in 2025
Last year, only 85 out of the 41,027 underage candidates who asked for admission consideration qualified.
JAMB said the process began with selecting 599 candidates who scored at least 80 percent (or 320) in the UTME. This made them eligible for further assessment.
The 599 candidates were carefully checked. Their school certificates and Post-UTME performance were verified. This process led to 182 finalists, who faced verification, interviews, and more screening.
After the final assessment, which included written tests and face-to-face interviews, JAMB approved 85 candidates for exceptional admission.
2026 assessment still ongoing
JAMB said the exceptional admission process for 2026 is not yet finished.
The board stated it would wait for this year’s National Examinations Council (NECO) results before moving to the final stage of the assessment.
A date for this final assessment will be announced after the NECO results are out. JAMB said only candidates who complete all stages of the exceptional admission process and meet the set requirements will be considered for admission.
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