No fewer than 536 blind candidates and others with special needs participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across 11 designated centres nationwide, under arrangements tailored to their needs.
Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
He disclosed that Kano State recorded the highest number with 136 candidates, followed by Lagos with 95, while Abuja hosts 46 candidates. Others were from Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos, and Yola, each supervised by experienced academics, many of whom are former vice-chancellors.
He noted growing interest among candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, describing it as a positive shift. He also acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by blind students in pursuing science-related disciplines and disclosed that efforts have been underway since 2018 to address these barriers.
Prof. Okebukola expressed satisfaction with the improving admission outcomes for candidates with disabilities, noting that in the 2025 admission cycle, 483 candidates applied for tertiary education, out of which 252 secured admission, representing a 52.2% success rate.
He disclosed that candidates with visual impairment formed the largest group, accounting for 429 applications, with over half successfully admitted. Other categories, including candidates with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and dyslexia, also recorded notable admission rates, with dyslexia candidates achieving a 100% success rate.
Prof. Okebukola, who is also the President of the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi-Africa), emphasised that the Oloyede-led administration has consistently ensured that no qualified Nigerian is denied the opportunity to sit for the examination on the basis of disability.
He noted that JAMB’s policy was anchored on fairness and inclusion, stressing that every candidate who meets the academic requirements deserves a realistic chance of gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
He said that since its establishment, JEOG has facilitated UTME participation for about 3,200 candidates with disabilities, with more than one-third gaining admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He added that the initiative has gained recognition across Africa as a model for inclusive education.
As Prof. Oloyede prepares to step down in August 2026 after a decade of service, Okebukola praised his sustained leadership, noting that the achievements of JEOG reflect a strong institutional commitment to equity and opportunity in Nigeria’s education system.