The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has introduced strict requirements for underage candidates below 16 years seeking admission into tertiary institutions. The board has set a high benchmark for those considered academically gifted.
Minimum UTME Score of 320
JAMB has fixed a minimum score of 320 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination as a key condition for exceptional candidates below the approved admission age. The board maintains that the general minimum age for admission remains 16 years.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin explained that the policy applies only to a small group of candidates with proven academic ability. He stated that the measure is part of efforts to maintain standards while allowing limited flexibility for outstanding students.
Withheld Results for Underage Candidates
The board also addressed concerns over the "No Result Yet" status seen by some candidates. It clarified that the status is intentional and not linked to technical faults. According to the examination body, the results of underage candidates have been withheld because they do not meet the age requirement. This step followed complaints from candidates and parents who initially suspected system errors.
Benjamin said the decision reflects compliance with existing guidelines. He noted that only candidates who will turn 16 by September 30, 2026, are eligible to sit the examination. "For now, results for underage candidates remain unreleased," he said.
Additional Screening Required
Exceptional candidates must score at least 320 and achieve 80 percent in further screening before being considered for admission. This ensures that only the most qualified underage candidates gain entry into tertiary institutions.
Background on JAMB Policies
Earlier, JAMB released a strict list of items banned from the 2026 UTME halls. Candidates were advised to comply fully with the guidelines to avoid disqualification on examination day. According to the board in its 2026 UTME manual, only an HB pencil and a copy of the examination slip would be permitted into the Computer-Based Test centres. Any candidate found with unauthorised materials would not be allowed to sit for the exam.
JAMB also confirmed the re-arrest of a suspected examination fraudster linked to a scheme that targeted candidates registered for the UTME. The suspect, Emmanuel Akataka, was taken back into custody after investigators established that he resumed fraudulent activities shortly after securing bail. Officials said he previously operated under a false identity while running online platforms that promised candidates illegal score manipulation services.
Furthermore, a Federal High Court in Katsina sentenced a young man, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, to three years in prison for impersonation during the UTME conducted by JAMB. The court held that the offence struck at the credibility of public examinations and required firm punishment. The conviction followed a trial in which prosecutors established that Abdulaziz posed as another candidate during the examination held in April 2025.
