JAMB releases 2026 UTME Rlresults of underage candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released for viewing the results of all underage candidates who participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while stressing that the release of the results does not automatically make them eligible for admission.

JAMB, in a statement on Saturday, 5th Sept, 2026, signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Fabian Benjamin, said an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise is any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026.

According to the Board, the results have been released primarily to enable candidates, their parents and guardians to know their performance in the examination.

Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM card or phone number with which they registered for the UTME.

However, JAMB clarified that the results of underage candidates cannot ordinarily be used for admission or any other official purpose, except in the case of candidates who meet the stringent requirements for exceptional consideration.

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

It warned candidates who do not qualify for exceptional consideration against presenting their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.

JAMB explained that the exceptional admission process was deliberately designed to be rigorous, involving multiple stages of assessment to ensure that only candidates who demonstrate the required academic maturity and exceptional ability are admitted.

Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, in addition to at least 80 per cent performance 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 by designated experts.

The Board said the multi-stage process was necessary to distinguish genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who merely recorded high scores in the UTME.

JAMB further disclosed that the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing, as all stages of assessment and verification have not been completed.

It said it would be inappropriate to conclude the exercise without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results the opportunity to present their results for verification.

According to the Board, the NECO results are yet to be released, and their release will precede the final stage of the assessment.
“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,” JAMB stated.

The Board stressed that the exercise is not based solely on UTME performance but constitutes a comprehensive assessment aimed at ensuring that only candidates who satisfy all prescribed requirements are considered for admission.

JAMB also urged parents, guardians, candidates and members of the public to be wary of individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process.

It reiterated that participation in the UTME and the release of a candidate’s result do not, in themselves, guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.

The Board assured the public that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in line with its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.