By DAYO ADESULU
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a minimum score of 320 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for underage candidates seeking consideration for exceptional admission into tertiary institutions.
The Board, however, clarified that scoring 320 or above in the UTME does not automatically qualify an underage candidate for admission, stressing that candidates must also satisfy several other academic and institutional requirements.
JAMB made the clarification while announcing the release of the 2026 UTME results of all underage candidates who participated in the examination.
For the purpose of the 2026 admission exercise, JAMB considers any candidate who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026, as an underage candidate.
320 UTME Score Not Enough for Underage Admission
According to JAMB, only exceptionally performing underage candidates who meet its prescribed conditions will be considered for admission.
The Board said such candidates must record a minimum UTME score of 320, alongside a minimum of 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.
In addition, candidates must meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment conducted by experts as part of the exceptional admission process.
JAMB explained that the multiple requirements are necessary to distinguish candidates who are genuinely academically exceptional from those who may simply have recorded strong performances in the UTME.
The Board therefore warned that an underage candidate should not interpret a score of 320 or higher as an automatic admission ticket.
JAMB Releases Underage Candidates’ UTME Results
JAMB said the results of all underage candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME have now been released for viewing.
The release, according to the Board, is primarily intended to allow candidates, parents and guardians to know how the candidates performed in the examination.
Underage candidates can check their results by sending RESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same SIM card or phone number used during UTME registration.
However, JAMB stressed that the release of the results does not, by itself, confer admission eligibility on the candidates.
The Board said the results cannot be used for admission or other official purposes except in the case of candidates who eventually satisfy all the conditions prescribed for exceptional underage admission.
Exceptional Admission Process Still Ongoing
JAMB also disclosed that the process of selecting exceptionally performing underage candidates for admission has not been concluded.
The Board said the assessment involves several stages of academic evaluation and verification, adding that all the necessary stages have yet to be completed.
According to JAMB, it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without allowing candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results to submit them for verification.
The Board noted that the NECO results are yet to be released and said it would wait for their release before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.
JAMB to Announce Final Assessment Date
JAMB said it would announce a date for the final assessment of the exceptionally performing underage candidates as soon as the NECO results are released.
This means that candidates who have met the UTME threshold but are still awaiting their NECO results remain part of the ongoing assessment process, subject to meeting the other requirements.
The Board reiterated that the exceptional admission process is not based exclusively on UTME scores.
Instead, it combines UTME performance, SSCE results, institutional Post-UTME requirements and the final expert assessment.
Parents Warned Against Admission Agents
JAMB has also warned parents, guardians and underage candidates against individuals who may claim to have the ability to secure admission for them outside the approved process.
The Board urged the public to avoid patronising admission agents or intermediaries who promise to bypass the established requirements.
It specifically advised candidates who do not meet the conditions for exceptional consideration not to present their UTME results to institutions or individuals as a basis for securing admission.
JAMB stressed that participation in the UTME and the subsequent release of a candidate’s result do not guarantee admission, particularly where the candidate has not attained the prescribed admission age.
Why the 320 UTME Score Matters
The 320 threshold represents one of the key screening points in JAMB’s exceptional admission framework for underage candidates.
Rather than treating a high UTME score as sufficient evidence of readiness for tertiary education, the Board is applying additional academic and institutional checks.
The requirement for at least 80 per cent in relevant SSCE subjects, where applicable, further places emphasis on sustained academic performance.
Furthermore, candidates must satisfy the Post-UTME conditions of their preferred institutions and successfully complete the final assessment.
The approach is designed to ensure that admission is reserved for candidates who demonstrate not only high examination scores but also the academic maturity required for tertiary education.
JAMB Maintains Merit-Based Admission Process
The Board assured candidates, parents and the general public that the exceptional admission process would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based.
JAMB said the measures are part of its efforts to protect the integrity of the tertiary admission process and ensure that only candidates who genuinely satisfy the established requirements are considered.
The Board also urged parents and guardians to exercise caution, particularly as the release of underage candidates’ results could create opportunities for fraudsters to mislead families seeking admission.
JAMB maintained that no individual can legitimately circumvent the prescribed assessment and verification process.
Conclusion
JAMB’s decision to set a 320 minimum UTME score for exceptional underage candidates provides a clear benchmark for younger candidates seeking consideration for admission in the 2026 academic session.
However, the Board has made it clear that the benchmark is only one part of a broader assessment.
Candidates must also demonstrate strong SSCE performance, satisfy their institutions’ Post-UTME requirements and pass the prescribed final assessment before they can be considered for exceptional admission.
With some candidates still awaiting their NECO results, JAMB said the process remains ongoing and that the date for the final assessment will be announced after the results are released.
For now, the message to underage candidates and their parents is straightforward: 320 is the minimum UTME threshold, not a guarantee of admission.
FAQs
What UTME score does JAMB require for exceptional underage admission?
JAMB requires a minimum score of 320 in the 2026 UTME.
Does scoring 320 guarantee admission for an underage candidate?
No. Candidates must satisfy additional SSCE, Post-UTME and final assessment requirements.
What other academic requirement has JAMB set?
Candidates are required to have at least 80 per cent in relevant SSCE subjects, where applicable.
Who is classified as an underage candidate in the 2026 admission exercise?
A candidate who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.
Can underage candidates now check their UTME results?
Yes. They can send RESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the SIM card used for UTME registration.
Has JAMB concluded the exceptional underage admission process?
No. JAMB said the process is still ongoing, with the final assessment expected after the release and verification of NECO results.
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