The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has recorded more than 4,216 admissions for candidates with disabilities over the past decade through its Equal Opportunity Group, Chairman Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola disclosed at a stakeholder event in Abuja.
Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, disclosed on Wednesday during the 2026 JAMB National Stakeholder Engagement on Inclusivity and Higher Education, held at the National Universities Commission headquarters. The programme was established by outgoing JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to guarantee candidates with disabilities equal access to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and subsequent admission.
According to Okebukola, an average of 53% of participating candidates gain admission into Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education every year, with beneficiaries spanning 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 average, about 53% of them gain admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education every year,” he stated.
He maintained that no allowances are made for disability status during assessment. “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 noted.
Okebukola pointed out that several beneficiaries have thrived in competitive fields such as Law, describing their achievements as proof that disability does not limit academic excellence once proper support exists. He further disclosed that the engagement examined how Artificial Intelligence might be applied to deepen inclusivity across Nigeria’s higher education system.
The anniversary featured the unveiling of two publications. “A Peep Into The Future Of Higher Education In Nigeria,” compiled in Oloyede’s honour, draws on input from 44 scholars. Okebukola’s own work, “Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success,” offers a guide for parents and administrators on supporting underage university students, shaped by consultations with 468 scholars and students already enrolled.
Dr Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, paid tribute to Oloyede for reforms that strengthened UTME credibility and widened access for candidates with disabilities. JAMB also recognised its Information Technology Department staff and institutions praised for supporting inclusive admissions.
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