The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced the release of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results for candidates considered underage, while stressing that access to the results does not automatically qualify them for admission into tertiary institutions.

The Board disclosed the development in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

JAMB explained that candidates who will not be 16 years old by September 30, 2026, fall within the category of underage candidates for the ongoing admission exercise.

According to the Board, the decision to release the results was primarily to allow the candidates, as well as their parents and guardians, to assess their performance in the examination.

However, it warned that the released results could not be used for admission or other official purposes unless the candidates successfully meet the conditions established for exceptionally performing underage candidates.

Candidates can access their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM card used during their UTME registration.

JAMB reiterated that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and satisfy all prescribed requirements would eventually be considered for admission.

The Board therefore cautioned candidates who do not meet the criteria for exceptional consideration against presenting their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.

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Benjamin explained that the special admission process was deliberately designed to be rigorous and involves several stages of assessment and verification to identify candidates with genuine exceptional ability and sufficient academic maturity.

Among the conditions for consideration is a minimum UTME score of 320, in addition to at least 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination subjects, where applicable.

“Such candidates are also required to meet the relevant Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo the prescribed final assessment by experts,” he said.

The JAMB spokesperson explained that the comprehensive process was intended to separate genuinely exceptional candidates from those who may have simply recorded impressive scores in the UTME.

He added that the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates had not yet been concluded, as several stages of assessment and verification were still ongoing.

According to Benjamin, it would be inappropriate to bring the process to a close without giving candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council results the opportunity to submit them for verification.

“The NECO results are yet to be released, and the Board would therefore await their release before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment process,” he said.

He stated that JAMB would announce the date for the final stage of the assessment immediately after the release of the NECO results.

The Board further emphasised that admission for underage candidates would not be determined solely by their UTME scores, but through a broader assessment process aimed at ensuring that every successful candidate meets all the established standards.

Parents, guardians and candidates were also warned against dealing with individuals who claim they can influence or secure admission for underage candidates outside the official process.

Benjamin reiterated that merely sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result does not amount to an automatic guarantee of admission, particularly for candidates who have not reached the prescribed admission age.

He assured the public that JAMB would continue to conduct the exceptional admission process in a transparent, merit-driven and rigorous manner.

The Board, he added, remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s admission system and ensuring that only candidates who satisfy the stipulated requirements are eventually admitted.

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