The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of all underage candidates who participated in the examination for viewing.
JAMB said the release is in line with its established policy on candidates who are below the prescribed admission age.
For the 2026 admission exercise, an underage candidate is anyone who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.
The Board, however, clarified that the release of the results does not mean that all underage candidates are eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
How Underage Candidates Can Check Their Results
Candidates can check their results by sending RESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card and phone number used to register for the UTME.
JAMB said the results have primarily been released to allow candidates, parents and guardians to know how the candidates performed in the examination.
The results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except for candidates who meet the stringent requirements for exceptional consideration.
Who Can Be Considered for Admission?
JAMB had earlier stated that only exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet its prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.
Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, as well as at least 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.
Such candidates must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment conducted by experts.
The Board said the rigorous process is designed to distinguish genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who may have simply performed well in the UTME.
Candidates who do not meet the requirements have therefore been advised not to present their results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.
Admission Process Still Ongoing
JAMB said the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing, as all stages of assessment and verification have not been completed.
The Board explained that it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results an opportunity to present their results for verification.
Since the 2026 NECO results have not yet been released, JAMB said it would await their release before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.
The Board will announce a date for the final assessment as soon as the NECO results are released.
JAMB Warns Against Admission Fraud
JAMB stressed that admission consideration for underage candidates is not based solely on UTME performance but involves a comprehensive assessment of academic ability, maturity and other prescribed requirements.
It urged parents, guardians, candidates and members of the public to be cautious of individuals claiming they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the official process.
The Board reiterated that sitting for the UTME and receiving a result do not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who have not attained the prescribed admission age.
JAMB assured the public that the process for exceptionally performing underage candidates would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in line with its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
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