The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has made a compelling call for intensified efforts to ensure inclusive education for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking at the inaugural Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium in Abuja, Prof. Oloyede emphasized the critical need for equal access to education for all, particularly those with disabilities.
The conference brought together education policymakers, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for broadening educational opportunities, with a special focus on those marginalized by disabilities. In his address, Prof. Oloyede stressed that education is vital for the self-actualization of every individual, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.
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“We have made significant progress in fostering inclusive education, but there is still a long way to go to achieve true equity in our education system,” Oloyede remarked. He reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to integrating assistive technologies like text-to-speech software, eye-gaze typing, and sign language interpreters to ensure no candidate is excluded from the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to a disability.
Oloyede also praised the efforts of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), led by Prof. Peter Okebukola, which has been instrumental in supporting PWD candidates. He announced that JAMB had reduced UTME registration fees from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500 for all candidates, with additional waivers for qualified PWD applicants.
In a forward-thinking proposal, Prof. Oloyede urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to establish a dedicated center for supportive services for PWDs, linked to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. He suggested that these centers, with branches in each geopolitical zone, would provide vital resources for PWD students throughout their academic journey.
He further advocated for the recognition of Nigerian Sign Language as an official national language, calling it a “demonstration of empathy” toward Nigeria’s hearing-impaired population.
The conference also highlighted JAMB’s recent initiatives in promoting inclusivity, including the establishment of 11 adapted centers across Nigeria, serving candidates with disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, Down syndrome, and paralysis. JAMB has automated several examination processes for PWDs, offering braille alternatives and audiobooks.
The event concluded with a resounding call for collaboration among all stakeholders to build a truly inclusive education system. JAMB, under the Ministry of Education’s guidance, continues to push for equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.