The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing, while stressing that the scores do not automatically guarantee admission.
The examination body said the results can only be considered for admission where candidates meet the stipulated conditions for exceptional admission.
Under the requirements, an underage candidate must score at least 320 in the UTME and obtain a minimum of 80 per cent in relevant subjects in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
JAMB’s position means that simply obtaining a high score in the 2026 UTME will not make an underage candidate automatically eligible for admission into a tertiary institution.
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The board’s special provisions are aimed at candidates considered academically exceptional and capable of meeting the additional requirements set for admission despite being below the standard age threshold.
The release of the results provides eligible underage candidates with access to their performance and allows them to determine whether they meet the academic requirements for consideration.
JAMB has continued to distinguish between candidates who sit for the UTME and those who satisfy the conditions required to gain admission into tertiary institutions.
The minimum score of 320 represents a significantly higher threshold than the general UTME scores required for admission consideration, while the 80 per cent requirement in relevant SSCE subjects adds another layer of academic assessment.
Candidates who fail to meet either of the specified benchmarks would therefore not qualify to use their results for exceptional admission purposes, regardless of their performance in other areas.
The development is expected to provide clarity for parents, candidates and institutions dealing with applications from underage students who participated in the 2026 UTME.
JAMB’s latest announcement also reinforces the distinction between examination performance and admission eligibility, with the board maintaining that candidates must satisfy all applicable conditions before their results can be used for exceptional admission.
Underage candidates can now check their released 2026 UTME results, but those seeking admission will need to establish that they meet the additional academic requirements before their scores can be considered for that purpose.
