The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates, but has warned that the release of the scores does not automatically make them eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
The Board disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
According to Benjamin, the results were released primarily to enable underage candidates, as well as their parents and guardians, to ascertain their performance in the examination.
He 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.
The JAMB spokesperson stressed that the results of underage candidates could not ordinarily be used for admission or other official purposes, except by candidates who satisfy the conditions prescribed for exceptional admission.
Candidates can check their results by sending the word “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 through the same telephone number used during their UTME registration.
Benjamin said JAMB had earlier established a special pathway for exceptionally performing underage candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic ability and satisfy the Board's stringent requirements.
One of the major requirements is a minimum score of 320 in the UTME, 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 conducted by experts as part of the exceptional admission process.
The Board explained that the rigorous procedure was designed to distinguish genuinely exceptional candidates from those who may have simply recorded impressive UTME scores without possessing the broader academic requirements necessary for early admission.
Benjamin further disclosed that the assessment process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing, noting that all the stages required for verification and final consideration have not yet been completed.
He explained that JAMB could not conclude the process without giving candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results the opportunity to present the results for verification.
According to him, the Board will await the release of the NECO results before fixing and announcing a date for the final stage of assessment for the exceptionally performing underage candidates.
JAMB therefore cautioned candidates who do not meet the prescribed requirements against presenting their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
The Board also warned parents and guardians to be wary of individuals claiming that they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the officially prescribed process.
Benjamin reiterated that sitting for the UTME, regardless of the score obtained, does not by itself guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the stipulated minimum admission age.
The Board maintained that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, stressing that only candidates who successfully satisfy all the established requirements would be considered for admission.