At least 501 visually impaired candidates will participate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which will be held across eleven locations throughout the country.
The chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this information when speaking to journalists ahead of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for visually impaired students and other individuals with specific requirements, who have been entrusted to JEOG oversight by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Remember that in 2017, the JAMBRegistrar, Prof. Oloyede, established the Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), with Professor Okebukola serving as chairperson, to ensure the seamless and organized administration of UTME for visually impaired and other specially-abled candidates.
The chairman of JEOG, Okebukola, confirmed to newsmen on Wednesday that a total of 501 blind candidates registered to sit the 2025 UTME in eleven centres nationwide.
He disclosed that JAMB has scheduled the examination to hold on April 28 and 29, 2025, in the eleven centres and that it involves 20 subjects.
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“The candidates undergo the same examination papers as regular candidates, and the standards are not reduced in any way,” he further stated.
More than two million aspirants have signed up for the 2025 UTME, set to begin across the country on Thursday.
Okeyinka Okebukola, who serves as the President of GUNi-Africa, referred to Oloyede as one of the most robust advocates for equal opportunities in accessing higher education across the African continent.
Based on what Okebukola stated, “As part of my annual practice, over the past week, I have discussed with members of GUNi-Africa regarding the treatment of visually impaired students seeking higher education across African nations. Everyone concurs that Nigeria, under the leadership of Professor Oloyede, excels above others.”
Professor Okebukola added that this year, “84 visually impaired candidates who are seemingly eligible for admission to Nigerian tertiary institutions (having attained at least five O-level credits) will receive refunds for their UTME registration fees directly at the exam venue.”
He mentioned that the additional “perks” provided by Oloyede to the candidates since 2017 include: complimentary hotel stays for visually impaired candidates along with their guides, provision of free Braille slates and styli, personalized T-shirts, full meal coverage during the exam duration, and financial assistance for transportation costs for both visually challenged individuals and their accompanying helpers.
“No other African country comes near offering such kind gestures.”
Okebukola stated further, “this year and for the second time, JAMB, through JEOG, will implement the bimodal system of UTME administration. This involves Fully-Braille and Fully Read-Aloud. Candidates have a choice of mode.
JEOG has been equipped by JAMB to ensure a positive testing experience for candidates across both methods of test administration. In 2022, we had 348 candidates; this number decreased slightly to 313 in 2023 but then increased significantly to 529 in 2024.
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Regarding the distribution of candidates and center coordinators—many of whom are past Vice-Chancellors—Okebukola pointed out that “Lagos leads with 107 centers, under the coordination of Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, who previously served as the VC at LASU.”
Following closely behind is Kano with 91 applicants, led by Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, who previously served as the Vice-Chancellor at Bayero University. Other regions along with their respective leaders include: Abuja (41) -Professor Sunday Ododo; Ado-Ekiti (32)- Professor Rasheed Aderinoye, formerly the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education; Bauchi (37) – Professor Ibrahim Yusuf; Benin City (18) – Professor Samuel G. Odewumi, ex-Dean of the School of Transport and Logistics at LASU; Enugu (50) – Professor Emeritus Mosto Onuoha (formerly Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike); Kebbi (14) – Professor Asabe Kabir; Oyo (69) – Professor Taoheed Adedoja, an ex-Minister of Sports and Special Duties; Jos (28) – Professor Nasiru Maiturare, once the Vice Chancellor of IBB University; and finally Yola (16) under Professor Muhammad Yakasai, current Vice Chancellor of Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.”
He stated, “The exam is set for April 28 and 29, 2025, across eleven centers and covers twenty subjects. The participants will sit for the same exams as the standard candidates, with no compromises made regarding the criteria.”
In 2024, more than 70% of JEOG applicants, including many who are visually impaired or have albinism, received acceptance letters from universities, polytechnic institutions, and teacher training colleges. These students will pursue studies in various fields such as law, special education, computer science, medicine and surgery, multiple programs related to education, mass communication, civil engineering, pharmacy, nursing science, and business administration.
The institutions that provided admissions encompass Abdulkadir Kure University in Minna; Nnamdi Azikiwe University located in Awka; Abia State University situated at Uturu; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University based in Bauchi; Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic also in Bauchi; Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education found in Kangere; Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko; the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo; Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria; Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna; Ajayi Crowther University within Oyo region; Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ndufu-Alike; Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin; Alvan Ikoku College of Education; Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma; Auchi Polytechnic in Auchi; Babcock University near Ilishan-Remo; Bauchi State University with campus in Gadau; Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa; Bayero University in Kano; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Uli; Covenant University established in Canaanland, Ota; Delta State University of Science and Technology in Ozoro; another branch of Delta State University in Abraka; Federal Polytechnic in Oko; Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta; two different locations for Federal University of Technology: one in Akure and another in Minna; Federal University of Technology additionally in Owerri; Federal University in Lafia; Federal University again listed as being in Otuoke; then yet another location specified for Federal University in Oye-Ekiti; Gombe State University positioned in Tudun Wada; Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt; and finally Imo State University sited in Owerri, Imo State.
Other institutions include Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna; Kwara State Polytechnic located in Ilorin; Kwara State University at Malete, also in Ilorin; Lagos State University situated in Ojo; Nigerian Police Academy based in Wudil; Nile University of Nigeria found in Abuja; Nnamdi Azikiwe University with campus in Awka; Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife; Olabisi Onabanjo University sited in Ago-Iwoye; Rivers State University in Port Harcourt; Sule Lamido University in Kafin Hausa; Umaru Musa Yaradua University in Katsina; University of Abuja; University of Benin which is in Benin City; University of Calabar positioned in Calabar; University of Delta in Agbor; University of Ibadan; University of Ilorin; University of Jos located in Jos city; University of Lagos; University of Maiduguri; University of Nigeria whose main site is in Nsukka; University of Port Harcourt; as well as Yusuf Maitama Sule University in Kano.”
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