Friday, September 25, 2026

UTME: JAMB’s AI plan could exclude visually impaired candidates, CITAB warns

Mr Fenemigho, however, warned that without deliberate preparations, the initiative could remain an ambitious idea rather than a project.

• July 6, 2026

The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has warned that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) plan to deploy AI to improve access to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) could exclude visually impaired candidates.

The executive chairman of CITAB, Jolomi Fenemigho, said that without deliberate preparations focused on the needs of visually impaired learners, the initiative could remain an ambitious idea rather than a project.

He, however, described the planned integration of smart assessment tools into the UTME as a progressive move.

“AI-driven exams sound impressive, but for blind candidates, technology without preparation is a new barrier in a different disguise. When many blind students have never had consistent access to computers, assistive software, or trained instructors, we cannot pretend that simply announcing AI makes the process inclusive,” Mr Fenemigho said in a statement on Monday.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

World Health Organization

Africa

Ebola cases rise as outbreak expands to 63 health zones in DR Congo: WHO

WHO said delays in diagnosis and access to adequate treatment could contribute to preventable deaths.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo

States

Edo govt. targets jobs, revenue through tourism, hospitality sectors

Mr Okaeben said the state government was committed to creating an enabling environment where talents could thrive.

Troops

NationWide

Army ‌⁠trains 380 personnel in specialised skills to boost operations

Mr Adejimi said the training was designed to improve the technical capabilities of personnel.

Police officers

States

Police nab two suspects for alleged car theft in Niger village

The suspected soldier and one other took to their heels, while the other two were arrested.

Police officer

States

Niger: Police detain security guard over alleged defilement, death of minor

Mr Abiodun said Mr Dauda allegedly confessed during interrogation to luring the girl into his security room.

President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

NationWide

Morka’s gutter language cannot bury Tinubu’s drug record: ADC Campaign Council

The council also challenged the APC to explain inconsistencies in Mr Tinubu’s educational records.