No fewer than 536 blind candidates and others with special needs are participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), underscoring Nigeria’s steady push toward inclusive education.

Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Peter Okebukola, commended the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Is-haq Oloyede, for sustaining a system that ensures equal access to higher education for candidates with disabilities.

Speaking on Monday at the commencement of the special UTME sessions, Okebukola said the current JAMB leadership has consistently removed barriers that previously limited participation for persons with special needs.

He stressed that the examination body’s policy is anchored on fairness, noting that every qualified candidate deserves a realistic opportunity to pursue tertiary education, regardless of physical limitations.

The 536 candidates are being examined across 11 designated centres nationwide under conditions specifically designed to meet their needs.

Since 2017, JAMB—through JEOG—has provided extensive support, including free accommodation for candidates and their guides, feeding, transportation, and customised examination materials.

Okebukola highlighted the continued use of a bimodal examination system, which allows candidates to opt for either Fully-Braille or Fully Read-Aloud formats.

The approach, now in its third year, has significantly enhanced accessibility and improved the examination experience.

A breakdown of participation shows Kano with the highest number of candidates at 136, followed by Lagos with 95 and Abuja with 46. Other centres include Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos and Yola.

Beyond access, admission outcomes for candidates with disabilities are also improving. In the 2025 admission cycle, 483 candidates applied for tertiary education, with 252 securing admission—representing a 52.2 per cent success rate.

Candidates with visual impairment accounted for the largest share, with 429 applications and over half gaining admission. Other categories, including those with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia, also recorded notable success, with Dyslexia candidates achieving a 100 per cent admission rate.

Okebukola noted a growing interest among candidates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, describing it as a positive shift, despite ongoing challenges faced by visually impaired students in science-related disciplines.

He disclosed that efforts to address these challenges have been underway since 2018, aimed at expanding access and improving outcomes in STEM fields.

Since its establishment, JEOG has facilitated UTME participation for about 3,200 candidates with disabilities, with more than one-third gaining admission into tertiary institutions.

Okebukola said the initiative is increasingly being recognised across Africa as a model for inclusive education.

As he prepares to step down in August 2026 after a decade of service, he praised Oloyede’s leadership, noting that the achievements recorded reflect a strong institutional commitment to equity and opportunity in Nigeria’s education system.