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.
The Board said the release was in line with its established policy on the participation of candidates below the prescribed admission age.
JAMB, in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Dr Fabian Benjamin, explained that an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise is any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026.
However, the Board stressed that the release of the results does not automatically make all underage candidates eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to JAMB, the results have been released primarily to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to ascertain their performance in the examination.
To check their results, underage candidates are required to send RESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card or telephone number used to register for the UTME.
The Board warned that the results of underage candidates cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except for candidates who satisfy the stringent requirements for exceptional consideration.
JAMB had earlier stipulated that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet the prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.
It therefore advised candidates who do not qualify for exceptional consideration against presenting their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
The Board explained that the exceptional admission process involves multiple stages of assessment and verification aimed at ensuring that only candidates who demonstrate the required academic maturity and exceptional ability are considered.
Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, as well as a minimum of 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.
Candidates must also satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment by experts.
JAMB said the rigorous process was designed to distinguish genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who may have simply performed well in the UTME.
It added that the assessment process was still ongoing and had not been concluded, as all stages of verification had yet to be completed.
The Board said it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results the opportunity to present their results for verification.
According to JAMB, the NECO results are yet to be released, and the Board will await their release before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.
It said a date for the final assessment would be fixed and announced as soon as the NECO results become available.
JAMB emphasised that admission for underage candidates was not based solely on UTME performance but on a comprehensive assessment to establish that candidates had met all the prescribed requirements.
The Board consequently urged parents, guardians, candidates and members of the public to be wary of individuals claiming they could secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process.
It reiterated that participation in the UTME and the release of a candidate’s result do not, in themselves, guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.
JAMB assured the public that the process for exceptionally performing underage candidates would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in keeping with its commitment to protecting the integrity of the admission process.
