The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that candidates seeking to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) must be at least 16 years old on or before 30 September 2026.
Under the Board’s registration guidelines, the age requirement remains non-negotiable for standard applicants. Candidates who will attain the age of 16 in October 2026 or later are therefore ineligible to participate in the 2026 UTME exercise.
Education stakeholders, including academics from the University of Ibadan and Osun State University, have consistently supported the policy, noting that the age benchmark is designed to ensure that candidates possess the academic preparedness and psychological maturity required for tertiary education.
Prospective applicants have been advised to carefully verify their dates of birth before commencing registration to avoid disqualification during the screening process.
While JAMB provides a waiver pathway for underage candidates, officials stress that the provision is strictly reserved for exceptionally gifted individuals and should not be considered an alternative route for those who fall slightly below the stipulated age. The waiver process is described as rigorous and highly selective, with only a limited number of candidates meeting the criteria each year.
According to the Board’s guidelines, underage applicants seeking special consideration must score at least 80 per cent in each of the following: the UTME or A-Level examination, the Post-UTME screening conducted by their chosen institution, the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE/O’Level), and an exceptional candidate assessment. Results for underage candidates are only released after comprehensive evaluation across all required benchmarks.
Education analysts in Oyo and Osun States have described the waiver policy as a safeguard tailored for academic prodigies who demonstrate intellectual ability significantly beyond their age group, rather than a loophole for marginal cases.
For candidates who are already 16 years old or will attain the age on or before 30 September 2026, registration for the 2026 UTME remains open, subject to meeting other eligibility conditions. Applicants are encouraged to adhere strictly to official guidelines to ensure a seamless registration and admission process.
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