JAMB
Susan Abayomi
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of all underage candidates who participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for viewing, while clarifying that the release of the results does not automatically qualify them 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 for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026.
JAMB explained that the release of the results was mainly to enable candidates, parents and guardians to know their performance in the examination. However, the results cannot be used for admission or any official purpose, except by candidates who meet the strict requirements for exceptional consideration.
Candidates can check their results by sending **“RESULT”** via SMS to **55019 or 66019** using the same SIM card used during UTME registration.
The Board stated that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who satisfy the prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.
It warned candidates who do not meet the requirements for exceptional consideration against presenting their results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
JAMB further explained that the exceptional admission process involves several stages of assessment and verification aimed at determining candidates’ academic maturity and readiness for tertiary education.
Among the requirements for consideration is a minimum UTME score of **320 marks**, alongside at least **80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects**, where applicable. Such candidates must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment by experts.
The Board noted that the process is designed to identify genuinely exceptional underage candidates rather than candidates who only achieved high scores in the UTME.
JAMB added that the assessment process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing, as all stages of verification have not been completed.
The Board said it would await the release of the National Examinations Council (NECO) results to allow candidates who are awaiting their results to submit and have them verified before proceeding to the final stage of assessment.
JAMB stated that a date for the final assessment would be announced after the release of the NECO results.
The Board urged parents, guardians, candidates and members of the public to be cautious of individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process.
JAMB reiterated that sitting for the UTME and receiving examination results do not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the required admission age.
The Board assured Nigerians that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in line with its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the tertiary admission system.
