By Ngozi Nwankwo
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities,NCPWD, and the National Open University of Nigeria,NOUN, have reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive education by supporting visually impaired candidates sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination,UTME.
Speaking at the NOUN Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja designated as the Abuja Centre for blind candidates writing the UTME, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, stated that the Federal Government remains committed to providing inclusive education and ensuring equal opportunity for all Nigerians to access quality education.
Uduma noted that the university’s facilities are designed to remove barriers and create an enabling environment for candidates with disabilities.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan commended NOUN for providing a conducive atmosphere that enabled blind candidates to successfully write the UTME. Addressing the candidates at the centre, he urged them to use the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Gufwan emphasised that over the years, the Commission has supported candidates by providing assistive devices to enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,JAMB, examinations.
He further applauded NOUN for creating an enabling environment that ensures persons with disabilities have access to education. He noted that such interventions are critical, highlighting that 536 candidates with disabilities registered for the 2026 UTME nationwide.
“Inclusive education will not only impact over 11 million visually impaired Nigerians but will ensure that the entire 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities have equal opportunity to thrive,” Hon. Gufwan said.
The Abuja Centre Coordinator for the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group,JEOG, Prof. Sunday Ododo reiterated the Group’s commitment to ensuring that no qualified candidate is denied the UTME on the basis of disability.
He appreciated the NCPWD team, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, and other stakeholders present, noting that their presence was a source of encouragement to the candidates.
The support provided by NCPWD and NOUN during this year’s UTME reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that no candidate is left behind due to disability, and that the national education system continues to advance accessibility and inclusion.
