RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Federal Government has disclosed that only 108 out of approximately 39,000 underage candidates who participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) met the requirements for consideration for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the figures on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving eight outstanding candidates presented by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.
According to the minister, the selection followed a rigorous assessment designed to identify exceptionally gifted candidates who demonstrated the academic ability and emotional maturity required for higher education.
Alausa disclosed that 2,244,149 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, while 2,174,396 participated in the examination.
He said approximately 39,000 candidates were below the minimum admission age of 16 years, but only 391 scored at least 320 marks out of the maximum 400.
Further assessments, including academic screening and evaluations of psychological, emotional and intellectual readiness, reportedly reduced the number eligible for possible admission to 108.
The minister explained that underage candidates seeking exceptional admission must obtain a minimum of 320 marks in UTME, representing 80 per cent.
They must also score at least 80 per cent in their institutions’ post-UTME examinations and satisfy the prescribed academic requirements in their Senior School Certificate Examination results.
Alausa stressed that academic excellence alone was insufficient to determine whether younger candidates were prepared for university life.
He explained that the minimum admission age was intended to protect students from entering demanding academic and social environments before attaining sufficient maturity.
However, he maintained that the government remained committed to creating opportunities for exceptionally gifted children who could demonstrate the necessary preparedness.
The minister encouraged the successful candidates to use their abilities to contribute to national development through innovation, research and problem-solving.
He also congratulated the candidates on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Among those recognised were the two highest-scoring candidates in the 2026 UTME.
Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, from Ekiti State, emerged as the overall highest scorer with 372 marks, while Enwere Kingsley Ikenna, from Imo State, followed with 370 marks.
Daniella selected Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos as her preferred programme, while Enwere applied to study Computer Science at Nile University.
The eight recognised candidates received plaques and certificates in acknowledgement of their exceptional academic performances.
Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system and creating opportunities for talented young people.
The minister said the country’s youthful population remained a major resource that could contribute significantly to scientific advancement, economic development and technological innovation.
He maintained that supporting gifted students while preserving appropriate admission standards would help develop a generation of Nigerians capable of addressing national and global challenges.
