JAMB Withholds Results of Underage Candidates
Abuja, Nigeria | April 23, 2026
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that candidates currently seeing “No Result Yet” while checking their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results are underage applicants whose results have not been released.
In a statement issued by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the Board explained that the message does not indicate a technical error, but rather reflects the status of candidates who do not meet the stipulated age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.
According to the Board, only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are eligible to register for and sit the UTME, except in clearly defined exceptional circumstances. This policy, JAMB noted, is aimed at ensuring that candidates possess the necessary maturity and readiness for higher education.
The Board further explained that underage candidates may only be considered under a special category if they demonstrate outstanding academic ability. Such candidates are required to score a minimum of 320 in the UTME and achieve at least 80 percent in subsequent screening exercises conducted as part of the admission process.
JAMB emphasized that only underage candidates who meet the 320 benchmark will be shortlisted and invited for further screening, adding that the process is designed to identify truly exceptional students while maintaining fairness and academic standards.
The examination body also noted that the arrangement regarding underage candidates was reached and endorsed by parents of the affected applicants, reflecting a consensus on the need to uphold admission criteria while still providing a pathway for exceptionally gifted students.
The Board reassured candidates and stakeholders that the UTME process remains transparent and credible, urging candidates to carefully interpret their result status messages and adhere strictly to the established guidelines for admission.
