No fewer than 4,216 candidates with disabilities have gained admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria over the last 10 years through the intervention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).

The Chairman of JEOG, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2026 JAMB National Stakeholder Engagement on Inclusivity and Higher Education held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja.

Professor Okebukola explained that the initiative, established by the outgoing JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has consistently provided equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities to participate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and gain admission into tertiary institutions across the country.

According to him, the programme has maintained an impressive record, with an average of 53 per cent of participating candidates securing admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education annually.

He noted that the beneficiaries comprise candidates with visual impairment, autism, Down syndrome, albinism and other forms of disabilities.

Okebukola stressed that the candidates are subjected to the same academic standards as every other UTME candidate, dismissing any notion of preferential treatment.

“We do not lower standards for them. They answer the same questions as every other candidate. Many of them are exceptionally brilliant and have excelled in competitive courses such as Law and other professional programmes,” he said.

He added that the achievements of the candidates demonstrate that disability is not a limitation to academic excellence when the necessary support systems are put in place.

Speaking on the theme of the stakeholder engagement, Okebukola said participants reviewed the progress made in the last decade while exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be deployed to further strengthen inclusive higher education in Nigeria.

“We are reviewing what we have achieved over the last 10 years and looking ahead. Artificial Intelligence will play a major role in the future of higher education, and we are examining how it can improve inclusivity and efficiency within the system,” he stated.

As part of activities marking the anniversary of the initiative, two books were unveiled. The first, A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria, was published in honour of Professor Oloyede and contains contributions from 44 scholars on the future of Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The second publication, Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success – Manual for Underage Students in Nigerian Universities, authored by Professor Okebukola, provides practical guidance for parents, lecturers, administrators and other stakeholders on supporting exceptionally gifted students admitted into universities before the age of 16.

Okebukola said the manual was developed following extensive consultations with 468 scholars and underage students, with emphasis on addressing challenges such as bullying, emotional adjustment and social integration.

The event also witnessed tributes to Professor Oloyede from stakeholders across the education sector. The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr. Sonny Echono, commended the outgoing JAMB Registrar for introducing reforms that have enhanced the credibility of the UTME and expanded access to higher education for persons with disabilities.

In recognition of outstanding service, JAMB presented awards to exceptional members of staff, particularly those in its Information Technology Department, for their contributions to innovation and improved operational efficiency.

Several universities, polytechnics and colleges of education were equally honoured for their commitment to admitting and supporting candidates with disabilities, reinforcing JAMB’s vision of promoting an inclusive and equitable higher education system in Nigeria.