The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results for underage candidates are now available for viewing, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Access to a result is separate from admission eligibility and candidates who fall below the prescribed age will still be subject to the conditions set for exceptional admission.
JAMB said the result release is mainly for candidates, parents and guardians who want to know the candidate's UTME performance. A viewed score is therefore not automatic approval for admission.
The Board's statement was issued through Fabian Benjamin, Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocols. JAMB also warned candidates against using a viewed result outside the approved admission procedure.
Who JAMB Classifies as an Underage Candidate
For the 2026 admission exercise, an underage candidate is an applicant who will be below 16 years of age by 30 September 2026.
This age position determines how the released result may be treated for admission. Candidates within this category can see their UTME scores, but admission use is restricted unless the requirements for exceptional admission are met.
The release means the score is available for viewing. It does not remove the age condition.
What the Released Result Means for Admission
JAMB's position is that sitting the UTME and receiving a result do not guarantee admission, especially where the candidate has not reached the prescribed admission age.
For most underage candidates, the released result is for viewing their performance. It cannot be presented as ordinary proof of admission eligibility.
A different route is available only for candidates who meet the stated exceptional-admission conditions. That route includes academic thresholds, the chosen school's Post-UTME requirement and a final assessment by experts.
JAMB said these checks are meant to identify underage candidates whose academic performance and maturity meet the exceptional standard, rather than treating a strong UTME score alone as enough.
Exceptional Admission Requirements for Underage Candidates
An underage candidate seeking exceptional admission must satisfy several conditions before admission can be considered.
The minimum UTME score is 320. A candidate must also have at least 80 per cent in the relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination subjects where that requirement applies.
The academic conditions are only part of the assessment. The candidate must satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of the chosen school and take part in the final assessment conducted by experts.
The stated requirements are:
- A minimum UTME score of 320
- At least 80 per cent in the relevant SSCE subjects, where applicable
- Satisfaction of the chosen school's Post-UTME requirements
- Completion of the final expert assessment
Meeting one requirement does not replace the others. JAMB's exceptional-admission route is based on the full assessment process.
Exceptional Underage Admission Assessment Is Still Ongoing
JAMB said the admission process for exceptionally performing underage candidates is still ongoing, as some assessment and verification stages have yet to be completed.
Candidates awaiting National Examinations Council results will be allowed to present those results for verification before the final assessment.
JAMB said it would be unreasonable to complete the assessment without giving candidates awaiting NECO results an opportunity to submit them for verification. The Board said a date for the final stage will be fixed and announced after the NECO results are released.
This means affected candidates awaiting NECO results remain within the stated assessment process. The final stage has not yet been concluded under the information released by JAMB.
How to Check 2026 UTME Results for Underage Candidates
Underage candidates can check the released 2026 UTME result through SMS using the same phone number used during UTME registration.
The checking process is:
- Use the phone number registered for the 2026 UTME.
- Type
RESULTas the SMS message. - Send the message to
55019or66019. - The UTME result will be sent to the registered number by SMS shortly after.
The registered phone number is part of the stated checking process, so candidates should use that number when sending the request.
Receiving the result does not change the candidate's age status or admission conditions.
What Candidates With Scores Below the Exceptional Threshold Should Know
An underage candidate who does not meet the exceptional-admission conditions should not present the viewed UTME result to a school or individual as a route to admission.
A UTME score below 320 falls outside the minimum score stated for exceptional admission. The same applies where the required minimum of 80 per cent in relevant SSCE subjects is not met, where applicable.
JAMB warned parents, guardians and candidates against people who may promise admission outside the approved process.
Admission for an underage candidate remains tied to the approved exceptional-candidate procedure.
Post-UTME and Final Assessment Remain Required
A UTME score of 320 or above is not the final admission test for an underage candidate.
The chosen tertiary school must also have its Post-UTME requirement satisfied. After that stage, a final assessment by experts is still required before admission can be considered.
JAMB said the assessment is intended to distinguish genuinely exceptional underage candidates from candidates whose performance is limited to a good UTME score.
Academic performance is therefore one part of the decision. The remaining assessment stages are also part of the stated requirements.
JAMB Warning to Candidates, Parents and Guardians
JAMB has warned against attempts to bypass the approved procedure for underage admission.
Candidates who fail to meet the exceptional-admission requirements should not take their released UTME result to schools or individuals in an attempt to obtain admission outside the approved process.
Parents and guardians should also be cautious of anyone promising to secure admission for an underage candidate outside JAMB's stated procedure.
The Board said the exceptional admission exercise will remain merit-based and transparent, with strict assessment checks before a final decision.
Troubleshooter for Underage 2026 UTME Candidates
| Situation | What It Means | Appropriate Action | Expected Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📱 Candidate wants to view the result | The 2026 UTME result is available for viewing | Use the registered phone number and send RESULT to 55019 or 66019 | The result is expected by SMS shortly after |
| 🎂 Candidate will be below 16 by 30 September 2026 | JAMB classifies the candidate as underage | Treat the score as viewing-only unless exceptional-admission conditions are met | Ordinary result access does not create admission eligibility |
| 📊 UTME score is below 320 | The stated minimum for exceptional consideration has not been met | Do not present the result as a route to underage admission outside the approved process | The candidate falls outside the stated UTME threshold |
| 📝 NECO result is still pending | A required verification stage may still be incomplete | Present the NECO result for verification after its release | JAMB will announce the final assessment date after the results are released |
| 🏫 Post-UTME requirement is not satisfied | One of the stated exceptional-admission conditions is missing | The candidate must satisfy the chosen school's Post-UTME requirement | Exceptional admission cannot be considered on the UTME score alone |
