Candidates under the age of 16 are permitted to sit for the 2026 UTME under specific conditions. Exceptionally gifted applicants must meet strict academic requirements and complete an additional assessment before their results are released
In the interest of maintaining academic standards while also recognising outstanding intellectual ability, provisions exist for exceptionally gifted candidates who are below the standard minimum age of sixteen years to apply for admission.
These candidates are not considered under the regular admission process; rather, they are assessed under a special and highly regulated framework designed to ensure fairness, maturity, and academic readiness.
To qualify under this special consideration, underage candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic performance by attaining a minimum average score of 80 percent across multiple recognised examinations.
This requirement serves as an objective benchmark to confirm that the candidate’s intellectual capacity significantly exceeds age-based expectations and aligns with the academic demands of higher education.
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In addition to meeting the minimum academic score requirement, such candidates are required to undergo an extra assessment process. This evaluation goes beyond written examinations and is intended to assess cognitive development, problem-solving ability, emotional maturity, and overall preparedness for advanced academic environments. The assessment ensures that early admission does not negatively affect the candidate’s long-term academic and personal development.
It is important to note that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results of underage candidates will not be released immediately. The release of these results is contingent upon the successful completion of the additional evaluation process. This measure ensures that admission decisions are made holistically and responsibly, rather than relying solely on examination scores.
This policy reflects a balanced approach that accommodates exceptional talent while preserving the integrity of the admission system. By enforcing strict eligibility conditions and thorough assessments, the process ensures that only genuinely gifted candidates are granted early academic opportunities, thereby safeguarding both educational standards and the welfare of the candidates involved.