UTME: ONLY 108 UNDERAGE CANDIDATES MEET FG’S ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Only 108 candidates out of about 39,000 underage students who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have reportedly met the requirements for exceptional admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The figure highlights the stringent conditions that candidates below the prescribed admission age must satisfy before they can be considered for admission.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) maintains 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session. However, candidates below the age limit may be considered under an exceptional admission process if they demonstrate outstanding academic ability and readiness for university education. 

Under the guidelines, underage candidates must score at least 320 out of 400 in the UTME to proceed to further assessment. They must also meet the required academic benchmarks in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), satisfy their chosen institutions’ Post-UTME requirements, and undergo a final assessment by experts.

JAMB has clarified that sitting the UTME or receiving examination results does not automatically make an underage candidate eligible for admission. Candidates must complete the required stages of assessment and verification before they can be considered.

The board released the 2026 UTME results of underage candidates in September, explaining that the results were made available for candidates and their parents or guardians to review their performance. It warned against individuals who claim they can secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved process. 

The policy is intended to ensure that candidates admitted below the minimum age demonstrate the academic ability and maturity required for tertiary education.

JAMB has maintained that only candidates who satisfy all the prescribed conditions will be considered for exceptional admission.