The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unraveled a case where an individual with a physical disability impersonated another candidate with a similar disability during the recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who made the revelation at a press conference on Friday in Abuja, lamented that the incident reflects broader societal issues, such as desperation for educational opportunities.

Specifically, the JAMB boss said it was a case of a visually impaired undergraduate who attempted to impersonate a blind candidate but was detected.

The JAMB Registrar expressed concern that this worrisome development was happening despite the board’s efforts to support visually impaired candidates, including refunding their registration fees and providing transportation, accommodation, and feeding.

His words: “The Board remains committed to providing the necessary support for persons with disabilities aspiring to pursue tertiary education. The Prof. Peter Okebukola-led JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication in ensuring that these candidates are able to sit examinations, regardless of their challenges. JAMB refunds to the blind and some categories of challenged candidates their registration fee in addition to providing transportation, lodging and feeding for them.

“For the 2025 UTME, a total of 501 candidates were successfully examined by JEOG across 11 centres nationwide. The results are also being released today.

“Sadly, one of them was also involved in impersonation by recruiting an undergraduate student who is also blind to come and write for another blind candidate.”

Recall that in the 2024 exercise, the examination body arrested a father for impersonating his son. (The Guardian: Text, Excluding Headline)