JAMB has initiated the screening process for underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2026 UTME, allowing exceptional students below 16 to proceed to further evaluation stages at their selected institutions.
Recommended Reads
- Crescent University Abeokuta (CUAB) Admission Form 2026/2027
- Bowen University Post-UTME / Admission Form 2026/2027
- LASU 2026/2027 Admission Update: IIVE Screening Dates, Requirements & Cut-Off Mark
- Themes and Characters in Chapter One of The Lekki Headmaster
- JAMB Halts Exam Town Selection for 2026 UTME Candidates in Ekiti
This was confirmed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, who explained that eligible candidates have already begun receiving notifications. According to him, those who meet the required score have had their details forwarded to their selected institutions for further assessment.
In the message sent to affected candidates, JAMB stated that scoring at least 80 percent in the UTME places them within one of the approved categories for special consideration. As a result, their chosen institutions will now conduct additional screening and send the outcomes back to the Board. Candidates are also advised to upload their O-level results on the JAMB portal and stay in contact with their institutions for further instructions.
This move is part of JAMB’s exceptional candidate policy, which allows academically outstanding candidates below the minimum admission age of 16 to be considered for admission. Normally, candidates are expected to be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026. However, exceptions are made for those who demonstrate exceptional academic performance.
Earlier, the Board had withheld the results of underage candidates, with many receiving a “No Result Yet” notification. JAMB clarified that only candidates who meet the strict benchmark of 320 and above would be considered for the next stage.
To qualify under this special category, candidates must not only score a minimum of 320 in the UTME but also achieve at least 80 percent in further screening conducted by their chosen institutions. This requirement was agreed upon with parents and is intended to limit eligibility to only the most outstanding candidates.
JAMB also noted that the results of underage candidates will remain unreleased until the screening process is fully completed. The Board urged candidates and stakeholders to remain patient, emphasizing that the process is designed to maintain fairness and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s admission system.
The policy, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to ensure that students admitted into tertiary institutions possess both the academic ability and the maturity needed to handle higher education.