By Peter Emmanuel
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates who were below the prescribed admission age.
The release of the results, however, does not mean that all underage candidates who sat for the examination are eligible for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB defines an underage candidate as an applicant who will be below 16 years old by September 30, 2026. The board generally requires candidates to attain the age of 16 by that date before they can be considered for admission.
JAMB Says Result Release Does Not Guarantee Admission
The examination body said exceptionally brilliant underage candidates may be considered for admission through a special assessment process.
It explained that candidates who meet the requirements would have to pass through further stages of assessment before exceptional admission could be considered.
JAMB had earlier commenced the screening of exceptionally performing underage candidates, particularly those who recorded outstanding scores in the 2026 UTME.
The board said the assessment is intended to determine whether the candidates meet the broader academic requirements for exceptional admission.
JAMB stressed that merely sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result does not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed age.
Underage Candidates Face Further Assessment for Exceptional Admission
The board said the final stage of assessment for exceptionally performing underage candidates would be scheduled after the release of the relevant National Examinations Council (NECO) results.
It urged parents, guardians and candidates to be cautious of individuals who may attempt to exploit the situation by promising admission outside JAMB’s approved process.
JAMB also advised candidates who do not meet the requirements for exceptional admission not to present their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
The board maintained that the special admission process would be transparent, rigorous and based on merit.
For the underage candidates, the release of their UTME results is therefore only one step in the admission process. Their eligibility for exceptional admission will depend on whether they meet the additional conditions set by JAMB.
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