More than 500 visually impaired students are to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
NAN reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has designated 11 centres nationwide for the visually impaired, ahead of the exam scheduled for April 28 and 29.
Peter Okebukola, chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), addressed the press in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the 501 candidates would undertake the same test papers and be held to the same academic standards as their sighted counterparts, covering a total of 20 subjects.
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Okebukola described Ishaq Oloyede, the registrar of JAMB, as a strong advocate for equal access to higher education.
He further revealed that 84 visually impaired candidates who have achieved at least five O’Level credits in their Senior School Certificate Examination would have their UTME registration fees refunded at their respective examination venues.
Giving a breakdown of candidate distribution, Okebukola noted that Lagos has the highest number, with 107 individuals.
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Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the former vice-chancellor of Lagos State University, will coordinate the centre in Lagos.
Kano state follows with 91 candidates, with coordination overseen by Muhammad Bello, the former VC of Bayero University, Kano.
Other designated centres include Abuja with 41 candidates and Ado-Ekiti with 32 candidates.
Okebukola highlighted the success rate of JEOG candidates in the previous year.
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He said approximately 70 per cent of those with visual impairments and albinism secured admissions into various tertiary institutions in 2024.
The JEOG was established in 2017 to ensure a fair and inclusive UTME process for visually impaired and other special needs candidates.
