JAMB releases underage UTME results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for underage candidates. This information was shared in a statement made on Saturday in Abuja by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin. Dr Benjamin clarified that releasing these results did not automatically grant admission to underage candidates, as only those who met stringent requirements for exceptional consideration would be admitted.

An underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise is defined as any candidate who would be less than 16 years old as of September 30, 2026. The primary purpose of releasing these results was to allow candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance in the examination. These results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except for exceptionally performing underage candidates who satisfy prescribed conditions.

Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card used for registration. Dr Benjamin emphasized that the Board had established that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who met the prescribed conditions would be considered for admission. The admission process for these candidates is rigorous and involves multiple stages of assessment to ensure they demonstrate the required academic maturity and exceptional ability.

To be considered, candidates must have a minimum UTME score of 320, along with at least 80 percent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable. They also need to meet the relevant Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo final assessment by experts.

This process ensures that only genuinely exceptional underage candidates are admitted. The admission process for these candidates is still ongoing, and the Board awaits the release of NECO results before proceeding to the final assessment stage. Dr Benjamin stressed that the admission process is not solely based on UTME performance but involves a comprehensive assessment to ensure candidates genuinely meet all the prescribed requirements.

The Board urges the public to exercise caution and avoid engaging individuals who claim to secure admission for underage candidates outside the prescribed process.