The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) taken by underage candidates.
The Board said the results were released to allow candidates, parents and guardians to know how the candidates performed in the examination.
JAMB, however, stressed that the release of the results does not automatically make underage candidates eligible for admission into tertiary institutions.
The Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
Benjamin explained that, for the 2026 admission exercise, an underage candidate is any candidate who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.
According to him, the results of underage candidates cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except for candidates who meet JAMB’s requirements for exceptional consideration.
He said only candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and satisfy all prescribed conditions would be considered for admission despite not meeting the standard age requirement.
How to check 2026 JAMB underage result
Benjamin said underage candidates can check their UTME results by sending “RESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019.
Candidates are required to send the message using the same SIM card they used when registering for the 2026 UTME.
The Board advised candidates and their parents or guardians to rely only on the official result-checking process and avoid individuals claiming to have special access to JAMB’s admission system.
JAMB sets minimum score for exceptional candidates
Benjamin said JAMB had previously established strict conditions for underage candidates seeking exceptional consideration for admission.
One of the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320.
Candidates must also obtain at least 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) 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,” Benjamin said.
He explained that the process was designed to distinguish candidates who genuinely demonstrate exceptional academic ability from those who simply achieve good scores in the UTME.
According to him, performing well in the UTME alone does not guarantee admission for an underage candidate.
Candidates must pass the other stages of the assessment process and satisfy the requirements prescribed by both JAMB and their chosen institutions.
Assessment process still ongoing
The Board said the assessment of exceptionally performing underage candidates has not been concluded.
Benjamin said JAMB was still awaiting the release of results from the National Examinations Council (NECO), which would be required for the verification and completion of the assessment process for candidates awaiting those results.
He said it would be unreasonable to conclude the process before candidates who were awaiting their NECO results had an opportunity to present 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.
According to Benjamin, JAMB will announce the date for the final stage of the assessment once the NECO results are released.
He stressed that the exercise would involve more than an assessment of UTME scores, as the Board would consider the candidates’ overall academic performance and compliance with all prescribed conditions.
JAMB warns against illegal admission agents
The Board urged parents, guardians and underage candidates to be wary of individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates through unofficial channels.
Benjamin warned that participation in the UTME and the release of a result do not, by themselves, confer admission eligibility.
He particularly advised candidates who do not meet the requirements for exceptional consideration not to present their UTME results to institutions or individuals as evidence of eligibility for admission.
The spokesperson said the exceptional admission process was deliberately designed to be rigorous and multi-layered to ensure that only candidates who genuinely demonstrate the required academic maturity and exceptional ability are considered.
He assured the public that the process would remain transparent, merit-based and subject to the established requirements.
JAMB also reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the tertiary admission process and ensuring that candidates admitted through the exceptional underage category meet the prescribed standards.
JAMB result checker and admission status
Candidates seeking information about their 2026 UTME results and admission status should use JAMB’s official platforms and approved channels.
It is important to note that checking a JAMB result is different from checking admission status. A candidate may receive a UTME score without being eligible for admission, while admission decisions are subject to the applicable requirements and the admission process.
Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial websites, social media accounts or agents claiming to have access to JAMB’s admission system.
For underage candidates, the distinction is particularly important because the release of the 2026 UTME result does not automatically qualify them for admission.
Only candidates who satisfy JAMB’s prescribed conditions for exceptional consideration, including the required academic performance and subsequent assessments, may proceed through the special admission process.
Parents and guardians are therefore advised to exercise caution and wait for official communication from JAMB regarding the next stage of the process.
