The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has maintained its policy that candidates must be at least 16 years old to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, but has introduced a waiver process for exceptional underage candidates.

According to the official guidelines, only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply or be considered for admission.

Age Requirement

CategoryRequirementCutoff Date
Standard CandidatesMust be 16 years or olderBy 30th September, 2026
Exceptional Underage CandidatesCan apply with special evaluationCase by case basis

"Only Candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered."

  • If you were born after 30th September, 2010, you don't meet the standard age requirement
  • If you were born on or before 30th September, 2010, you meet the age requirement
  • The age is calculated as of the admission cutoff date, not registration date

Requirements for Underage Waiver

For the first time in recent years, JAMB has provided a clear pathway for exceptional underage candidates to participate in the examination.

RequirementDetails
Minimum ScoreMust score not less than 80% in each examination
Applicable ExamsUTME, A-Level, PUTME, or SSCE
Evaluation ProcessIntensive evaluation to determine eligibility

"However, candidates less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 will have to undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver. Such must have scored not less than 80% in each of UTME/A-LEVEL, PUTME, SSCE and in the exceptional candidate assessment."

This is how it works

StepProcessTimeline
1Register normally for UTMEJanuary - February 2026
2Write the examinationApril 2026
3Undergo intensive evaluationAfter examination
4Await evaluation resultsPost evaluation period
5Results releasedOnly after complete evaluation

"The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process."

This means underage candidates may receive their results later than other candidates while the evaluation is ongoing.

The 80% threshold is exceptionally high:

ExaminationTotal Score80% Threshold
UTME400 marks320 marks
SSCE/WAECA1 in each subjectApproximately 75%+ per subject
A-LevelDistinction gradesTop performance

This means underage candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic ability across multiple examinations, not just UTME.

The age requirement applies equally to:

  • Nigerian candidates
  • Foreign candidates at designated centres
  • All applicants regardless of location

No exceptions are made based on nationality or location of registration.

Document Requirements for Age Verification

Candidates should have ready:

DocumentPurpose
Birth CertificatePrimary proof of age
National ID (NIN)Age verification (date of birth)
School RecordsSupporting age documentation
Baptismal CertificateAlternative age proof
Age DeclarationFrom Local Government (if no birth certificate)

Your NIN date of birth is what JAMB will use. Ensure it's accurate.