Over 500 Visually Impaired Candidates Sit for UTME 2026

A total of 536 visually impaired candidates sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria, as disclosed by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, the chairman of the Equal Opportunities Group (JEOG). The examination took place across 11 designated centers nationwide, tailored to meet the needs of these candidates.

JEOG provided extensive support, including free accommodation, guidance, feeding, transport, and customized materials. Kano recorded the highest number of candidates with 136, followed by Lagos with 95 and Abuja with 46.

The 2025 admission cycle saw 483 candidates apply for tertiary education, with 252 securing admission, resulting in a 52.2% success rate. Candidates with visual impairments formed the largest group, accounting for 429 applications.

Notably, candidates with dyslexia achieved a 100% success rate. The article highlights a growing interest in STEM subjects among candidates, while acknowledging ongoing challenges faced by blind students in pursuing science-related disciplines.