JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Results Of Underage Candidates

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 viewing.

The Board, in a statement 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 defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as anyone who will be below 16 years of age by September 30, 2026.

The Board, however, clarified that the release of the results does not automatically make the affected candidates eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.

According to JAMB, the results are primarily intended to enable 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 UTME registration.

JAMB said the results could not be used for admission or other official purposes except by candidates who meet the requirements for exceptional consideration.

It stated that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and satisfy all prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.

One of the major requirements, according to the Board, is a minimum UTME score of 320 and at least 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.

Eligible candidates must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment by designated experts.

The Board stressed that the exceptional admission process was rigorous and involved multiple stages of assessment and verification to identify genuinely exceptional candidates.

JAMB said the process was still ongoing because all stages of the assessment had not been completed.

The Board explained that it would be inappropriate to conclude the process without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results the opportunity to submit them for verification.

It said it would therefore await the release of the NECO results before proceeding to the final stage of assessment.

“A date for the final assessment of exceptionally performing underage candidates will be announced once the NECO results are released,” JAMB said.

The Board warned candidates, parents and guardians against presenting UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission when the candidates do not meet the requirements for exceptional consideration.

It also cautioned the public against individuals claiming to have the ability to 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.