The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session, but says exceptionally qualified candidates below the age limit may be considered under a special waiver process.
JAMB stated this in its latest guidelines, explaining that candidates who will not be 16 years old by September 30, 2026, fall into the underage category for the admission exercise.
However, being below 16 does not automatically disqualify a candidate. According to the board, such candidates must undergo an intensive assessment to determine whether they qualify for exceptional consideration.
Under the 2026 guidelines, an underage candidate seeking the waiver must score at least 80 per cent in each of four assessment areas — the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), A’Level/SSCE (O’Level), Post-UTME and the exceptional candidate assessment.
JAMB stressed that the requirement is not an overall average of 80 per cent, but a minimum of 80 per cent in each applicable component.
The board also explained that the UTME results of underage candidates are subject to completion of the evaluation process before release. Candidates who meet the relevant UTME threshold may subsequently be invited by their chosen institutions for the next stage of assessment.
JAMB further directed candidates to upload their O’Level results to its portal, noting that those whose results have not been uploaded cannot be considered for admission recommendations.
The board, however, warned that meeting the 80 per cent requirement does not guarantee admission, as candidates must still pass the required evaluation and satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen institutions.
For instance, a 15-year-old candidate who scores 82 per cent in UTME, 85 per cent in O’Level, 81 per cent in Post-UTME and 80 per cent in the exceptional assessment would meet the stated threshold for consideration, but would still be subject to the admission process.
JAMB advised prospective underage candidates to confirm their date of birth, prepare for all required assessments and check the admission requirements of their preferred institutions.
The board also recommended the use of its Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) Eligibility Checker to determine programme-specific requirements.
