EXPLAINER: All you need to know about underage admission – JAMB

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For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, JAMB’s general minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions is 16 years by 30 September 2026.

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In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, JAMB, however, stated that it has an exception for candidates below 16 who are considered exceptionally qualified and seek a waiver.

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Who is an “underage candidate”?

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If you will not be 16 by 30 September 2026, you fall into the underage category for the 2026 admission exercise.

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Being under 16 does not automatically mean you cannot be admitted.

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JAMB says such candidates may be considered through an intensive evaluation process.

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What must an underage candidate score?

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JAMB’s 2026 guidelines require an underage candidate seeking the exceptional waiver to achieve at least 80% in each of four areas:

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UTME

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A’Level/SSCE (O’Level)

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Post-UTME (PUTME)

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Exceptional candidate assessment

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So, the requirement is not simply “score 80% in UTME.” The candidate has to meet the 80% threshold in each applicable component.

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What happens after the UTME?

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JAMB says the UTME results of underage candidates are subject to the completion of the evaluation process before release. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board

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JAMB subsequently reported that underage candidates who achieved the relevant UTME threshold were being invited to the next stage of assessment by their chosen institutions. Candidates who cross the UTME threshold have their details forwarded to their institution for further screening, and JAMB instructed candidates to upload their O’Level results to the JAMB portal.

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Does scoring 80% guarantee admission?

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No. The 80% requirement makes a candidate eligible for consideration under the exceptional/waiver process; it is not itself a guarantee of admission.

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The candidate still has to go through the required evaluation and institutional admission process. JAMB’s current policy also states that the minimum admission age remains 16.

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Example

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Suppose a candidate is 15 years old by 30 September 2026 and has:

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UTME: 82%

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O’Level: 85%

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Post-UTME: 81%

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Exceptional assessment: 80%

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That candidate has met the stated 80% threshold in all four areas and can therefore be considered under the exceptional underage process. It still does not mean admission is automatic.
nWhat should an underage candidate do?n

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Confirm your date of birth and whether you will be 16 by 30 September 2026.

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If under 16, understand that you are seeking consideration under the exceptional candidate/waiver process.

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Prepare for the required assessments—not just UTME.

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Aim for the required 80% in every component, rather than treating 80% as an overall average.

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Upload your O’Level result to the JAMB portal when available. JAMB says candidates whose results have not been uploaded cannot be considered for admission recommendations.

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Check your institution’s own admission requirements as well. JAMB’s IBASS Eligibility Checker can be used to check programme-specific requirements. Eligibility Check

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Bottom line: For 2026/27, 16 by 30 September 2026 is the normal minimum age. A candidate below 16 can only be considered through the exceptional route, with JAMB specifying an 80% minimum in UTME/A’Level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment.

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JAMB official website · JAMB Eligibility Checker (IBASS)

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