JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Results for Underage Candidates, Sets 320 Score for Exceptional Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing.

However, the Board warned that accessing the results does not automatically make the candidates eligible for admission. The clarification follows JAMB’s policy on candidates who are below the prescribed admission age.

In a statement issued on Saturday, JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise. According to him, such a candidate is anyone who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.

JAMB explains why underage results were released

The Board said the results were released mainly to allow candidates, parents and guardians to know how the candidates performed. Nevertheless, the results cannot be used for admission or other official purposes unless the candidate satisfies JAMB’s requirements for exceptional consideration.

“The Board had earlier established that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who satisfy the prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.

“Consequently, candidates who do not meet the requirements for exceptional consideration should not present their viewed results to any institution or individual for the purpose of securing admission”, the statement said in part.

Furthermore, JAMB stressed that the exceptional admission route is designed for candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic ability and maturity. The Board said the process involves several stages of assessment and verification before admission can be considered.

Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019 through the same phone number and SIM card used during UTME registration. The Board advised candidates and their parents to rely only on the official process when checking or using the results.

320 UTME score required for exceptional admission

For underage candidates seeking exceptional consideration, JAMB has set a minimum UTME score of 320. Candidates must also obtain at least 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.

In addition, candidates must satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions. They must also undergo the final assessment prescribed by experts before they can be considered for admission.

The Board explained that the conditions are intended to distinguish genuinely exceptional candidates from those who simply performed well in the UTME. Therefore, a high UTME score alone does not guarantee admission for an underage candidate.

JAMB had earlier indicated that underage candidates who met the relevant thresholds would proceed to further assessment through their chosen institutions. Its 2026 training manual also provides for intensive evaluation of candidates below the minimum admission age.

NECO results delay final assessment

Meanwhile, JAMB said the exceptional admission process is still ongoing because some stages of assessment and verification have not been completed. The Board noted that some eligible candidates are still awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results.

“The Board noted that it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without allowing candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results to present and have their results verified.”

JAMB said the NECO results are yet to be released and would therefore be considered before the final assessment is concluded. Consequently, the Board will announce a date for the final stage after the release and verification of the results.

“As soon as the NECO results are released, the Board will fix and announce a date for the final stage of the assessment of the exceptionally performing underage candidates,” it said.

The Board stressed that the exercise is not based solely on UTME performance. Instead, it is a comprehensive assessment intended to determine whether candidates genuinely satisfy the conditions for exceptional admission.

JAMB warns parents against admission agents

Consequently, JAMB urged parents, guardians and candidates to be cautious about individuals promising admission for underage candidates. The Board warned against patronising anyone who claims to have the power to bypass the prescribed admission process.

JAMB also reiterated that sitting for the UTME does not guarantee admission. Similarly, the release of a candidate’s result does not automatically confer admission eligibility, particularly where the candidate has not attained the prescribed age.

The Board assured the public that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based. It said only candidates who satisfy all the established requirements would ultimately be considered for admission.

The warning is particularly important because the release of the results could create the impression that all underage candidates are now eligible for admission. JAMB, however, maintained that the results are primarily for viewing until the prescribed assessment process is completed.