Abuja event honours top UTME scorers and 108 under-sixteen students

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina held a recognition ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, according to Blueprint. The event celebrated the highest-scoring candidates in the 2026 UTME and highlighted 108 under-sixteen candidates who satisfied exceptional admission requirements. The minister disclosed that 2,174,396 candidates sat the exam, with 391 under-sixteen candidates achieving the minimum score of 320 out of 400, but further screening reduced the eligible number to 108. These candidates were required to show strong senior school results, post-UTME performance and evidence of psychological, emotional and intellectual readiness for university study. The ceremony also underscored JAMB reforms, including the Central Admissions Processing System and enhanced computer-based testing, aimed at improving transparency and security in tertiary admissions.