EXPLAINER: All you need to know about underage admission – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a minimum age requirement of 16 years by 30 September 2026 for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 admission cycle. However, there is an exception for candidates under 16 who are considered exceptionally qualified and seek a waiver. To be eligible for this exceptional process, the underage candidate must achieve at least 80% in four areas: UTME, A'Level/SSCE, Post-UTME, and an exceptional candidate assessment.

It is important to note that merely scoring 80% in the UTME does not guarantee admission, as the candidate must also meet the 80% threshold in each of the four areas. After the UTME, the candidate's results are subject to the completion of the evaluation process before they can be released. If the candidate meets the required threshold, their details will be forwarded to their chosen institution for further screening, and they are instructed to upload their O'Level results to the JAMB portal.

While achieving the 80% requirement makes a candidate eligible for consideration, it is not a guarantee of admission as they still need to go through the required evaluation and institutional admission process. The minimum admission age remains 16, and candidates must confirm their date of birth and ensure they meet the age requirement by 30 September 2026.

To prepare for the exceptional underage process, candidates should upload their O'Level results to the JAMB portal when available and check their institution's specific admission requirements using JAMB's IBASS Eligibility Checker.