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… sets 320 benchmark for admission

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

Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, announced the release of the results in a statement on Saturday.

JAMB defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as of 30 September 2026.

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

Benjamin, however, stressed that such results could not be used for admission or any other official purpose except by candidates who meet the stringent requirements for consideration as exceptionally performing underage candidates.

He explained that candidates seeking to check their results should send RESULT by SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.

The Board emphasised that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and satisfy all prescribed conditions would be considered for admission.

“One of the key requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320, in addition to at least 80 per cent 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 conducted by experts,” the Board stated.

JAMB explained that the rigorous process was designed to distinguish candidates who are genuinely exceptional from those who may have simply recorded high scores in the UTME.

The Board further clarified that the assessment and admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates was still ongoing, as all stages of verification and assessment had yet to be completed.

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The Board noted that it would be unfair to conclude the process before candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results are given the opportunity to present their results for verification.

According to JAMB, the NECO results are yet to be released, adding that the Board would await their release before fixing the date for the final stage of 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,” the statement added.

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

It also cautioned parents, guardians and members of the public against patronising individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the prescribed process.

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

The Board assured the public that the admission 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 admission system.