In the upcoming 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a total of 364 visually impaired candidates are scheduled to take the test across 11 different centers throughout Nigeria. This information was revealed by the Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Prof. Peter Okebukola during a briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.

During the briefing, Okebukola praised JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede for making special arrangements to accommodate this category of Nigerian candidates. The JEOG Chairman noted that JAMB, under the leadership of Oloyede, is committed to ensuring that all eligible Nigerians are given equal opportunity to sit for the UTME, regardless of any physical challenges they may have.

Okebukola also stated that since 2017, JEOG has processed about 2,600 candidates for the UTME, with over a third of them being admitted to higher education institutions in Nigeria, mainly universities. He further explained that the success of this initiative has been acknowledged by various countries in Africa, citing it as a good model to follow.

In summary, the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group has facilitated the participation of visually impaired candidates in the UTME, ensuring that they have equal opportunities for higher education. With the upcoming UTME in 2023, a total of 364 visually impaired candidates are set to take the exam in 11 centers across Nigeria.

”The mode of examination administration is blended- use of Personal Computers (PCs) and use of the traditional Braille slate and stylus/typewriters in writing answers to questions that are read out by a subject expert.

”The blind candidates take the same test items as those who are not blind,” he said.

Prof. Peter Okebukola, who is not only the Chairman of JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group but also the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), disclosed that JAMB had given its approval to gradually introduce a fully customized computer-based testing (CBT) mode for blind candidates by 2024.

Okebukola added that a trial of this customized mode would be conducted later this year, offering candidates the option to choose between fully Braille, fully CBT, and full read-aloud modes.

“There are exciting times ahead for blind candidates and others with disabilities in realisation of the dream of Professor Is-had Oloyede for equal opportunity.

“So far, a good number of blind candidates processed through JEOG have secured admission to federal, state and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

“In 2019, of the 390 candidates, a total of 175 (44.8 per cent) were given admission. This was unprecedented in the history of admission of such category of students into the Nigerian higher education system.

“In 2020, 89 of the 351 blind candidates (25 per cent) that sat for the UTME got admissions.

”In 2021, a total of 110 blind candidates were given admission, out of the 332 that sat for the UTME.

”This 33 per cent admission of blind candidates to higher education in an annual cohort is unprecedented in the African higher education system,” he said.

In the previous year’s UTME, out of the 364 visually impaired candidates who took the exam, 139 of them (38%) were successfully admitted to the higher education institution of their preference, according to the JEOG Chairman. He further revealed that five of these candidates obtained scores of over 270, while 92 of them scored above 200.

”When compared proportionally with the non-blind candidates, the blind candidates are doing as well, if not better than the visually unimpaired candidates.

“The 2023 exercise is taking place in 11 centres nationwide. This is in the interest of bringing the venue of the examination closer to the candidates, especially with the security situation in the country.

“The centres are coordinated by seasoned academics and university administrators. The total number of candidates is 364,” he said.

Prof. Peter Okebukola also mentioned that the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) is implementing a strategic plan aimed at progressively increasing the ICT aspect of UTME administration in order to align with the advancements in ICT usage for blind education in tertiary institutions.

He also stated that the UTME for visually impaired candidates will be conducted by the board from April 27 to 29, under the supervision of JEOG. (NAN)