The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of candidates below the prescribed admission age for candidates to check their performance.
The Board, in a statement issued by its Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, said the release was in line with its policy on the participation of underage candidates in the UTME.
JAMB defines an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as anyone who will be below 16 years of age by September 30, 2026.
However, the Board stressed that having access to the results does not automatically qualify the candidates for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to JAMB, the results have been released primarily to allow the affected candidates, parents and guardians to ascertain their performance in the examination.
Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number and SIM card used during their UTME registration.
JAMB explained that the results cannot be used for admission or other official purposes, except by candidates who qualify under its exceptional consideration process.
For an underage candidate to be considered for admission, the Board said the candidate must demonstrate exceptional academic ability and meet all prescribed requirements.
Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, alongside at least 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.
Such candidates must also satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment conducted by designated experts.
JAMB said the exceptional admission process involves multiple stages of assessment and verification aimed at identifying candidates with genuinely exceptional academic ability.
The Board noted that the process is still ongoing as some stages of the assessment have not been completed. It explained that candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results must be given the opportunity to submit them for verification before the final assessment is conducted.
JAMB said it would therefore await the release of the NECO results before concluding the process.
“A date for the final assessment of exceptionally performing underage candidates will be announced once the NECO results are released,” the Board stated.
The Board also warned candidates, parents and guardians against using the released UTME results to seek admission when the candidates do not meet the requirements for exceptional consideration.
It further cautioned against individuals claiming they could secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process.
JAMB reiterated that sitting for the UTME or obtaining a result does not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.
Source: TVC news