The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) continues its comprehensive conduct of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), simultaneously releasing results in phases and championing inclusive education for candidates with special needs across Nigeria. The examination, which commenced on April 16, is being administered in batches at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide, catering to over 2.2 million registered candidates (specifically 2,243,816).

JAMB recently announced the release of additional results for candidates who took the examination on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18. This latest batch comprises 1,264,940 results, bringing the total number of results released so far to an impressive 1,897,692. Earlier, 632,752 results were released for candidates who sat for the examination on Thursday, April 16. Candidates can check their results by sending "UTMERESULT" to either 55019 or 66019, using the exact phone number (SIM) they used during their 2026 UTME registration.

A significant highlight of the ongoing UTME is JAMB's unwavering commitment to inclusive education, exemplified by the participation of no fewer than 536 blind candidates and others with special needs. This initiative underscores Nigeria's consistent drive towards ensuring equal access to higher education for all qualified individuals. Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), lauded the Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, for sustaining a robust system that effectively removes barriers for persons with disabilities, a policy rooted in fairness and opportunity since 2017.

These 536 candidates are undergoing their examinations at 11 specially designated centres nationwide, where conditions are meticulously tailored to meet their specific requirements. Through JEOG, JAMB provides extensive support, including free accommodation for candidates and their guides, feeding, transportation, and specially customised examination materials. The board continues to employ a successful bimodal examination system, which has been in place for three years, allowing candidates the flexibility to choose between Fully-Braille or Fully Read-Aloud formats, thereby significantly enhancing accessibility and their overall examination experience.

Geographically, Kano State leads in the number of participating special needs candidates with 136, followed by Lagos with 95, and Abuja with 46. Other designated centres include Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos, and Yola.

Beyond facilitating access, JAMB's efforts are also yielding improved admission outcomes for candidates with disabilities. In the 2025 admission cycle, out of 483 applicants, 252 secured admission into tertiary institutions, marking an impressive 52.2% success rate. Visually impaired candidates formed the largest group, with 429 applications and over half successfully gaining admission. Other categories, including those with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Dyslexia, also recorded notable success, with Dyslexia candidates achieving a remarkable 100% admission rate. Dr. Okebukola observed a growing inclination among these candidates towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, a positive trend despite historical challenges faced by visually impaired students in science disciplines. Efforts to overcome these challenges have been ongoing since 2018.

Since its inception, JEOG has successfully enabled approximately 3,200 candidates with disabilities to participate in the UTME, with more than one-third subsequently gaining admission into tertiary institutions. This initiative is garnering recognition across Africa as a leading model for inclusive education. As Dr. Okebukola prepares to conclude his decade of service in August 2026, he highlighted that these achievements are a testament to Registrar Oloyede’s strong institutional commitment to equity and opportunity within Nigeria’s educational landscape.