JAMB Underage Candidates Screening Notice
Essential Highlights
JAMB has contacted underage 2026 UTME candidates who scored 320+ for school screening.
- 320+ UTME score is the mark JAMB used for this batch.
- Details have gone to each candidate's chosen school.
- Schools will screen candidates and report back to JAMB.
- Normal admission age remains 16 by 30 September 2026.
Read on for the JAMB underage candidates 2026 update.
JAMB has started sending messages to underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is now moving those candidates to the next stage of assessment, based on the rule set for exceptional underage applicants.
What JAMB has done
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin confirmed that the affected candidates have been asked to proceed to the next stage of assessment at their chosen schools.
Their details have also been sent to those schools for admission processing; this means the next check will not happen only on the JAMB side. It will involve the schools selected by the candidates.
What the schools will do next
The chosen schools are expected to contact the candidates for screening.
After the screening, the schools will send the results back to JAMB. That report will form part of the admission process for the affected underage candidates.
Why these candidates were selected
JAMB said the candidates crossed the 80% threshold, which is one of the requirements under the exceptional candidate policy.
For the 2026 UTME, that mark is 320 and above. It places the affected underage candidates in the group JAMB has chosen to review further, rather than leave their results in the earlier “No Result Yet” stage.
What happened before now
Earlier, JAMB withheld the results of underage candidates.
Their portals showed “No Result Yet”, which meant the board had not released their results for normal admission processing at that point. The latest message from JAMB now shows that candidates who reached the 320 mark have moved to another check.
JAMB age rule for 2026 admission
JAMB explained that candidates who will be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 are normally eligible for admission.
Underage candidates can still be considered, but only if they meet the special mark and perform well in the extra screening. The Federal Ministry of Education approved the policy to make sure students are mature enough for university education.
What affected candidates should know
A candidate who scored 320 or above and received a message from JAMB should wait for contact from the chosen school.
The school will handle the screening stage and send its report back to JAMB. At this point, the score alone does not end the process; the extra assessment still matters.
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