By Gabriella Ogbu
In preparation for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for blind candidates and those with special requirements, a total of 577 applicants are scheduled to participate across 11 designated centers nationwide.
Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group, made this announcement, highlighting the board’s commitment to supporting candidates with special needs.
Established in 2017 by JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Equal Opportunity Group aims to provide effective assistance to blind candidates and those requiring special accommodations during examinations.
This year marks the introduction of a bimodal UTME administration system, offering candidates the option of Full-Braille or Full Read-Aloud modes. Resources have been allocated to ensure a pleasant testing experience for all participants.
Professor Okebukola commended Prof. Oloyede’s unwavering dedication to promoting fair access to higher education, emphasizing Nigeria’s leading role in accommodating blind candidates compared to other African nations.
Under Prof. Oloyede’s leadership, blind candidates meeting admission criteria will have their UTME registration costs refunded on-site during the examination, in addition to receiving various support provisions, including free accommodation, meals, transportation, and specialized equipment.
Regarding examination logistics, Prof. Okebukola outlined the distribution of candidates across centers, each coordinated by esteemed individuals, including past Vice-Chancellors.
In response to previous disruptive behaviors by parents, JAMB has issued a directive for Computer-Based Test Centre owners to arrest any parent found near their facilities during the UTME exercise, with strict consequences for non-compliance, as announced by Prof. Oloyede.
