Chidimma Uchegbu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has been hailed for breaking barriers in Nigeria’s education landscape by providing full support for 501 physically challenged candidates writing the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, across 11 specialized centres nationwide.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, made the commendation while monitoring the ongoing UTME at the Centre for the Blind at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja, on Tuesday.
Ahmad applauded JAMB for not only making the examination accessible but for also covering all associated costs, including transportation, accommodation, and personal aides for the special-needs candidates.
“Without these provisions, many would never have had the chance to write this exam,” she said, emphasizing the Board’s pivotal role in supporting the federal government’s inclusive education agenda.
The minister also affirmed that with JAMB leading the digital transformation of examinations and pioneering inclusive policies, similar standards will soon extend to NECO and WAEC, aligning Nigeria with global best practices.
Also speaking, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stressed the Board’s commitment to equity, stating that inclusivity remains the hallmark of a just society.
“We believe those who are differently abled can perform wonders. That’s why we ensure they feel valued by the nation,” he said.
JAMB currently runs 11 disability-specialized centres in states including Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Kaduna, and the FCT.
The Registrar said each centre is strategically located to bring examination access closer to candidates’ communities.
He disclosed that beyond the exams, candidates who score five credits are refunded their registration fees upon arrival, a gesture he described as “a moral responsibility to show they matter.”
He said the Board also mainstreams support for deaf candidates at general centres, requiring all instructions to be presented in writing and ensuring complete parity with other examinees.
“They are given badges and visual prompts. It’s expensive, over N200,000 is spent per candidate, but it is a cost worth bearing,” the Registrar added.
The inclusive policy, developed with support from education stakeholders like Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, also guides tertiary institutions to admit and support students with special needs.
As a result, over 70 per cent of last year’s physically challenged UTME candidates secured admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
On his part, the Centre Coordinator at NOUN, Prof. Sunday Ododo, also lauded JAMB’s leadership and consistency.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. This is more than an examination, it’s a national commitment to human dignity,” he said.
