JAMB Begins Screening of Underage UTME Candidates Scoring Above 320, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

JAMB Begins Screening of Underage UTME Candidates Scoring Above 320, Sets Strict Conditions for Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced the screening of underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), as part of its exceptional candidate admission policy.

The move follows widespread concerns from candidates and parents after some underage applicants discovered that their results were not accessible on the JAMB portal, receiving the “No Result Yet” notification instead.

In a clarification issued by JAMB through its Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, the board explained that the withholding of results for underage candidates is a deliberate policy and not a technical issue.

According to JAMB, the current admission policy maintains that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are qualified for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. However, the board allows a narrow exception for candidates considered academically exceptional.

Under the exceptional candidate policy, underage applicants must score a minimum of 320 out of 400 in the UTME  equivalent to 80 percent before being considered for further screening. Candidates who fail to meet this benchmark will not proceed to the next stage of the admission process. 

JAMB stated that the screening process for those who meet the score requirement will involve additional academic assessments, including institutional post-UTME examinations and further evaluations to determine their academic readiness, emotional maturity, and suitability for university education.

The board stressed that the policy is designed to preserve academic standards while creating room for exceptionally gifted students to access tertiary education earlier than the standard admission age.

Reports indicate that the process is similar to the framework introduced in the 2025 admission cycle, where thousands of underage candidates sat for the UTME, but only a small fraction successfully met all the conditions for admission after multiple screening stages. 

JAMB also revealed that underage candidates who qualify will be required to obtain at least 80 percent in their post-UTME and possess strong O’Level results, particularly in relevant core subjects, before final approval for admission.

Education stakeholders have described the policy as a balance between merit and maturity, arguing that while intellectual capacity is important, emotional and psychological preparedness are equally necessary for success in higher education.

The board urged parents and guardians to remain patient and avoid unnecessary panic over withheld results, assuring that all eligible candidates who meet the exceptional criteria will be duly contacted for the next phase of the screening process.

The development comes amid growing national conversations on age requirements for tertiary education, with JAMB insisting that the 16-year minimum age remains the standard and that exceptions will only be granted under clearly defined and rigorous conditions.