More than 536 blind candidates and others with special needs participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across 11 designated centres nationwide, under arrangements tailored to their needs.

Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday.

He disclosed that Kano State recorded the highest number with 136 candidates, followed by Lagos with 95, while Abuja hosts 46 candidates.

Others were from Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos and Yola, each supervised by experienced academics, many of whom are former vice-chancellors.

He noted growing interest among candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, describing it as a positive shift and also acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by blind students in pursuing science-related disciplines, and disclosed that efforts have been underway since 2018 to address these barriers.

Prof Okebukola expressed satisfaction with the improving admission outcomes for candidates with disabilities, noting that in the 2025 admission cycle, 483 candidates applied for tertiary education out of which 252 secured admission, representing a 52.2 percent success rate.

He disclosed that candidates with visual impairment formed the largest group, accounting for 429 applications, with over half successfully admitted.

Other categories, including candidates with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia, also recorded notable admission rates, with dyslexia candidates achieving a 100 percent success rate.

(The Sun)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), for an initial term of four (4) years, effective from April 16, 2026 in accordance with the provision of Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency, 2015.

Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu is a Public Health professional and policy strategist with a proven track record of driving impactful national programs.

The President tasks the appointee to contribute her expertise to the agency for the good of the nation.

Developing story.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with a total of 632,788 results now available for viewing.

In a statement issued by the Board on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates were advised to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.

JAMB clarified that at this stage, candidates can only view their results, as printing options are not yet available.

It also issued a strong warning against attempts to manipulate or alter result messages received from official channels, stressing that such actions constitute a criminal offence.

The Board added that it is already taking action against offenders, revealing that some suspects are currently in custody.

“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means. Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law,” it stated.