The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed 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. The age requirement, according to examination guidelines, is non-negotiable for standard registration, meaning candidates who will turn 16 in October 2026 or later are not eligible to apply for the 2026 exercise.
Education stakeholders from University of Ibadan and Osun State University, Osogbo have repeatedly emphasised that the age benchmark is intended to align candidates with the academic and psychological maturity required for tertiary education in Nigeria. As such, prospective applicants are advised to carefully verify their date of birth before initiating the registration process to avoid disqualification.
Although JAMB provides an underage waiver process, officials note that the pathway is strictly reserved for exceptionally gifted candidates and should not be viewed as an alternative route for slightly underage applicants. The waiver criteria are rigorous and highly selective, with only a small number of candidates meeting the standards annually.
According to JAMB guidelines, underage candidates seeking special consideration must score not less than 80 percent in each of the following assessments: 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. The Board only releases results for underage applicants after thoroughly evaluating performance across all these benchmarks.
Education analysts from Oyo and Osun State describe the waiver as a mechanism designed for academic prodigies who demonstrate extraordinary intellectual ability well beyond their age group. It is not intended as a loophole for candidates who narrowly miss the 16-year threshold.
For candidates who are already 16 years old or will attain 16 on or before 30 September 2026, registration for JAMB 2026 remains open, provided all other eligibility conditions are met. Prospective applicants are encouraged to comply strictly with official guidelines to ensure a smooth registration and admission process.
