JAMB Screens Underage High-Scorers for University Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has initiated a special screening process for underage candidates who achieved exceptional scores of 320 and above in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This move, confirmed by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, signals a commitment to identifying and nurturing exceptionally gifted young minds within Nigeria's tertiary education system. These candidates, who are below the standard admission age of 16, will now proceed to the next stage of assessment, where their chosen institutions will conduct further evaluations.

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The Board has sent messages to underage candidates who scored 320 and above. They will be invited to the next level of assessment by their institution of choice.

This exceptional candidate policy, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education, provides a pathway for underage applicants who demonstrate remarkable academic prowess. To qualify, candidates must not only achieve a minimum UTME score of 320 but also secure at least 80 percent in subsequent screening processes. This rigorous benchmark ensures that only the most academically outstanding individuals are considered, maintaining the integrity of the admission system while offering opportunities to those who exhibit extraordinary potential at a young age.

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JAMB hereby notifies you that you have crossed the 80% threshold in the UTME, which is one of the four categories for consideration. As a result, your details have been forwarded to your institution of choice, which will contact you for screening and return the result to the Board. You can contact your chosen institution regarding this. Kindly ensure that you upload your O-level results to the JAMB portal.

Fabian Benjamin clarified that JAMB has forwarded the details of these qualified underage candidates to their preferred institutions for admission processing. The board had previously withheld results for underage candidates, but this new policy allows for their consideration under specific, stringent conditions. The aim is to ensure that these young scholars possess the necessary maturity and academic readiness to thrive in the demanding environment of tertiary education. The policy, as reported by The Punch, reflects a delicate balance between upholding admission standards and recognizing and supporting exceptional talent, ensuring that Nigeria's future leaders and innovators are identified and nurtured from an early stage.

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Only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are eligible to sit for the UTME, stressing that any exception falls under the board’s special or exceptional candidate policy.