The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results of candidates who were below the prescribed admission age.

The release, however, does not mean that all underage candidates who participated in the examination are now eligible for admission intoNigerian tertiary institutions.

JAMB defines an underage candidate as an applicant who will be below 16 years old by September 30, 2026. While the board generally requires candidates to be at least 16 by that date, exceptionally brilliant underage candidates may be considered under a special assessment process.

According to the examination body, candidates who meet the requirements will proceed through further stages of assessment before any exceptional admission can be considered.

JAMB had earlier begun screening exceptionally performing underage candidates, particularly those who recorded outstanding UTME scores. The process is designed to determine whether such candidates meet the broader academic requirements for exceptional admission.

The board stressed that simply sitting for the UTME and obtaining a result does not guarantee admission, especially for candidates who have not attained the prescribed age

It also warned parents, guardians and candidates against individuals who may attempt to exploit the situation by promising admission outside JAMB’s approved process.

JAMB said the final stage of assessment for exceptionally performing underage candidates would be scheduled after the release of the relevant NECO results.

The board urged candidates who do not satisfy the requirements for exceptional admission not to present their UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.

JAMB maintained that the special admission process would be transparent, rigorous and based on merit.

For the underage candidates, therefore, the release of their scores is only one step in what could be a longer journey to university admission. The real test will be whether they satisfy the additional conditions set by the board.