Only 108 of approximately 39,000 underage candidates who sat the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have passed the Federal Government's screening process for possible admission into tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa disclosed the figure in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving the two highest-scoring candidates and six top-performing underage candidates presented by JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina.
How the underage screening worked
Of the 2,244,149 candidates who registered for the 2026 UTME, 2,174,396 sat the examination. About 39,000 were below the minimum admission age of 16.
Those seeking an exemption from the age requirement had to meet demanding academic and readiness conditions:
- Score at least 320 out of 400, equivalent to 80 per cent, in the UTME.
- Score at least 80 per cent in post-UTME.
- Meet the required 80 per cent threshold in the assessment of O-level results.
- Pass an assessment of psychological, emotional and intellectual readiness for university education.
Only 391 underage candidates reached the UTME score of 320 or above. Subsequent checks reduced the number meeting the conditions for possible admission to 108, approximately 0.005 per cent of candidates who sat the examination.
Why maturity is part of the admission decision
Dr Alausa said the minimum admission age was not designed to exclude exceptionally gifted children. The additional screening is intended to establish whether younger candidates can cope with the academic, social and emotional demands of university life.
The minister encouraged the successful candidates to use their abilities to contribute to society. He also linked the recognition of exceptional young talent to the government's wider education reforms and Nigeria's development ambitions.
Top performers recognised
Eight candidates received plaques and certificates, comprising the two highest scorers in the 2026 UTME and six outstanding underage candidates.
- Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin: 372 marks, highest score.
- Enwere Kingsley Ikenna: 370 marks, second-highest score.
The 108 underage candidates passed the special screening for possible admission; the announcement did not amount to an admission offer to every candidate.
