The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 320 out of 400 marks as the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) score for underage candidates seeking consideration for exceptional admission in Nigeria.
The benchmark means affected candidates must score at least 80 per cent in the examination before they can move to the next stage of the special admission process.
JAMB had previously indicated that only underage candidates who attain the threshold would be shortlisted for further assessment.
JAMB made the announcement on Saturday in a statement issued in Abuja while releasing the 2026 UTME results of candidates below the prescribed admission age for viewing.
The board identified an underage candidate as anyone who will be below 16 years old by September 30, 2026.
JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocols, Fabian Benjamin, said the release of the results was intended to enable candidates, parents and guardians to know how the applicants performed in the examination.
The board, however, stressed that receiving a UTME result does not confer admission eligibility on an underage candidate.
It explained that the exceptional admission route remains subject to additional academic requirements and assessments.
Beyond the UTME score, candidates must attain the required threshold in other relevant areas, including the Senior School Certificate Examination and Post-UTME where applicable.
The exceptional candidate assessment also forms part of the conditions for consideration.
JAMB had earlier commenced the next stage for candidates who scored 320 and above, with details of qualifying applicants forwarded to their institutions of choice for further screening.
Those institutions are expected to conduct additional assessments before returning their findings to the board.
The board’s position means that the 320-mark requirement is only a qualifying threshold and not an automatic admission cut-off.
Candidates who reach the score must still satisfy the remaining conditions before they can be considered for admission.
JAMB has maintained that the special arrangement is designed for exceptionally gifted candidates who fall below the normal minimum admission age.
Under the general rule, candidates are expected to be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026.
Candidates who want to check their released results can send “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same telephone number used during UTME registration.