A total of 577 visually impaired candidates are gearing up to participate in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across 11 centres nationwide.
Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group, shared this information during a press briefing in preparation for the 2024 UTME for visually impaired candidates and others with special needs under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).
Established in 2017 by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group was set up to effectively cater to visually impaired candidates and others with special needs.
Okebukola highlighted, “For the first time this year, JAMB, through JEOG, will be implementing a bimodal system for UTME administration, offering Fully-Braille and Fully Read-Aloud options to candidates. Candidates can choose their preferred mode, and JEOG is well-equipped to ensure a positive testing experience for all.”
Regarding the increase in visually impaired candidates, Okebukola explained, “This year sees a record number of 577 visually impaired candidates compared to 348 in 2022 and 313 in 2023. The rise is mainly attributed to the enhanced advocacy efforts by JEOG, a trend expected to continue in the future.”
Okebukola, also the President of the Global University Network for Innovation, praised Oloyede for championing equal access to higher education in Africa, stating, “Oloyede stands out as a leading advocate for promoting equal opportunities for visually impaired candidates across the continent.”
He further mentioned that qualified visually impaired candidates, with a minimum of five O-level credits, will receive on-site refunds for their UTME registration fees this year.
Additionally, Oloyede has been providing various support measures for visually impaired candidates since 2017, including free accommodation, Braille materials, customized apparel, meals, and transportation assistance – gestures unparalleled in Africa.
Amid these initiatives, Okebukola revealed, “I have nominated Oloyede for the CNN Heroes Award and aim to garner support from across Africa for his nomination in 2024, recognizing his outstanding contributions to empowering visually impaired candidates.”
Regarding distribution, Okebukola outlined the allocation of candidates across different centres coordinated by former Vice-Chancellors, with Kano leading at 138 candidates and Prof. Muhammad Bello coordinating. Lagos follows with 88 candidates under Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, and other centres include Abuja, Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos, and Yola.
The examination is scheduled for April 22 and 23 at the eleven centres, covering 20 subjects. Okebukola clarified that visually impaired candidates will sit the same test papers as regular candidates, maintaining consistent standards.
In a separate development, JAMB instructed Computer-Based Test centre owners to arrest any parent found near their facilities during the 2024 UTME, emphasizing the need to prevent any disruptive behavior from parents that occurred during previous exercises to ensure a smooth examination process.