Over 4,200 candidates with disabilities admitted into tertiary institutions in 10 years, says Okebukola
No fewer than 4,216 candidates with disabilities have secured admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria over the past decade through the intervention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) equal opportunity group (JEOG).
Peter Okebukola, chairman of JEOG and former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), announced the development on Wednesday at the 2026 JAMB national stakeholder engagement on inclusivity and higher education held at the NUC headquarters in Abuja.
The JAMB equal opportunity group is an initiative established by Ishaq Oloyede, outgoing registrar of JAMB, to provide candidates with disabilities equal access to the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) and admission into tertiary institutions.
Okebukola said the programme has recorded significant progress over the past 10 years, with an average of 53 percent of participating candidates gaining admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education annually.
He said the beneficiaries include candidates with visual impairment, autism, Down syndrome, albinism and other disabilities.
“In the last 10 years, we have had 4,216 candidates with different categories of disabilities participate in the programme. On the average, about 53 percent of them gain admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education every year,” he said.
Okebukola stressed that candidates with disabilities are assessed under the same academic standards as other UTME candidates.
“We do not lower standards for them. They answer the same questions as every other candidate. I am continually amazed by how excellently they perform. Many of them are exceptionally brilliant,” he said.
He noted that many beneficiaries have gone on to study competitive courses, including law and other professional programmes, demonstrating that disability is not a barrier to academic excellence when adequate support is provided.
AI TO SHAPE INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION
Speaking on the theme of the stakeholder engagement, Okebukola said participants reviewed the achievements of the initiative over the last decade while exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be deployed to deepen inclusivity in higher education.
“We are reviewing what we have achieved in the last 10 years and looking ahead. One of the major issues that will shape the future of higher education is Artificial Intelligence, and we are examining how AI can improve the efficiency of inclusivity in higher education,” he said.
As part of activities marking the anniversary of the programme, two books were unveiled.
One of the books, “A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria“, was produced in honour of Oloyede and features contributions from 44 scholars on the future of Nigeria’s higher education system.
The second publication, “Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success – Manual for Underage Students in Nigerian Universities”, authored by Okebukola, provides guidance for parents, lecturers, administrators and other stakeholders on supporting exceptionally gifted students admitted into universities before the age of 16.
According to Okebukola, the manual was developed after extensive consultations with 468 scholars and underage students already enrolled in Nigerian universities. It focuses on helping young undergraduates navigate challenges such as bullying, emotional adjustment and social integration.
JAMB HONOURS STAFF, INSTITUTIONS
The event also featured tributes to Oloyede from stakeholders, including Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), who commended the outgoing JAMB registrar for reforms that have strengthened the credibility of the UTME and expanded access to higher education for persons with disabilities.
JAMB also presented awards to outstanding members of staff, particularly personnel in its Information Technology Department, in recognition of their dedication and innovation in improving the board’s operations.
Several tertiary institutions were equally honoured for their commitment to admitting and supporting candidates with disabilities, in line with JAMB’s efforts to promote a more inclusive higher education system.
