The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing.

JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.

Benjamin, however, clarified that the release of the results did not make all underage candidates eligible for admission.

He explained that an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise is anyone who will be below 16 years old as of September 30, 2026.

According to him, the results were released mainly to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance. They cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who meet the requirements for exceptional consideration.

Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.

Benjamin said exceptionally performing underage candidates must score at least 320 in the UTME and achieve a minimum of 80 per cent in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects, where applicable.

They must also meet the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment by experts.

He stressed that the process was designed to identify candidates with exceptional academic ability and maturity, rather than those who merely performed well in the UTME.

The spokesperson said the assessment process was still ongoing, as the Board was awaiting the release of the National Examinations Council (NECO) results before conducting the final stage.

He urged candidates who did not meet the requirements not to present their results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to secure admission.

Benjamin also warned parents and guardians against patronising individuals who claimed they could secure admission for underage candidates outside the prescribed process.

He reiterated that participation in the UTME and the release of results did not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who had not attained the prescribed admission age.