The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for underage candidates, but has cautioned that this does not automatically qualify them for admission.
JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Benjamin, an underage candidate for this year’s admission exercise refers to anyone who will still be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026. He said the results were released to let candidates, parents, and guardians know how they performed, stressing that they cannot be used for admission or any official purpose except by those who meet JAMB’s conditions for exceptional consideration.
Candidates can check their results by texting “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the SIM card used during registration.
Benjamin reiterated that only underage candidates who perform exceptionally well and meet all stipulated conditions will be considered for admission. He warned those who fall short against presenting their results to schools or individuals in a bid to force admission.
He explained that the exceptional admission process is rigorous, involving multiple stages of assessment designed to identify underage candidates with genuine academic ability and maturity — not just good scores. Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, along with at least 80 per cent in relevant subjects in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), where applicable. Qualifying candidates must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and pass a final assessment conducted by experts.
Benjamin disclosed that the assessment process is still ongoing, with the Board yet to complete all required stages. He said JAMB is waiting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) to release its results, since some candidates need to present those results for verification before the process can proceed to its final stage. He added that JAMB will announce a date for the final assessment once NECO’s results are out.
He noted that admission for underage candidates will not be based on UTME scores alone, but on a full evaluation of whether they meet all of the Board’s conditions.
Benjamin also warned parents, guardians, and candidates to be wary of individuals claiming they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the official process, stressing that sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result does not automatically guarantee admission — particularly for those who have not reached the required age.
He assured the public that the assessment process would remain transparent, strict, and merit-based, and reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the admission process.
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