JAMB releases underage UTME results
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released results for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for underage candidates, according to a statement issued Saturday by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser.
While the results are now available for viewing, Benjamin cautioned that this release does not guarantee admission for all underage candidates. Only those who meet specific criteria for exceptional consideration will be eligible for admission.
Under JAMB guidelines, an underage candidate is defined as any individual who will be under 16 years old as of September 30, 2026. The results were made public to inform candidates and their guardians of their examination performance.
However, Benjamin clarified that these results cannot be used for admission or any official purpose unless the candidate meets the stringent requirements for exceptional consideration. Candidates can check their results by sending the word “RESULT” to either 55019 or 66019, using the SIM card they registered with for the UTME.
To be considered for exceptional admission, candidates must achieve a minimum UTME score of 320 and perform at least 80 percent in relevant subjects on the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), where applicable. Additionally, they must fulfill the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and successfully complete a final assessment conducted by expert evaluators.
Benjamin emphasized that the admission process is designed to accurately identify genuinely exceptional underage candidates as opposed to those who may have performed well in the UTME without fulfilling all necessary requirements.
He noted that the assessment for exceptionally performing underage candidates is ongoing and has not concluded, as candidates are still awaiting results from the National Examinations Council (NECO). He indicated that it would be unreasonable to finalize admissions without incorporating these results for verification.
Once the NECO results are released, JAMB will set a date for the concluding stage of assessments for eligible underage candidates. Benjamin reassured the public that this process will not solely rely on UTME performance, but will encompass a comprehensive evaluation to ensure that all prescribed criteria are met.
As a precaution, he urged parents, guardians, candidates, and the public to be wary of individuals offering unauthorized admissions for underage candidates. He reiterated that participation in the UTME and the subsequent release of a candidate’s results do not ensure admission for those who have not reached the required admission age.
Benjamin reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, rigorous, and merit-based admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates. The Board remains dedicated to upholding the integrity of the admission procedure and ensuring that only those who meet established qualifications are granted admission.
