By Felix Khanoba
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has reiterated the Board’s dedication to ensuring equal access to higher education, with a strong focus on individuals with disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing
on the Board’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) and the First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), slated for Tuesday, September 17, to Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Abuja, Professor Oloyede emphasized the work of JAMB in shoring up admission opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)
The JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), under the leadership of Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, was established in 2016 by Oloyede to facilitate the registration and participation of PWDs in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Oloyede explained that the conference aims to broaden access to higher education for PWDs and enhance the educational environment across African institutions. The event is expected to draw experts and participants from various countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Egypt.
He said: “Today, as we prepare for this very important conference, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with a particular emphasis on persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through the Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), has been at the forefront of ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with a level playing field in accessing higher education.
“It is not enough to simply open doors of opportunity; we must ensure that these doors are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities.
“We fervently believe that this conference will provide a platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs.
“We recognize that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, we are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible across Africa. “
Oloyede also outlined the conference’s theme, “Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development,” which highlights the critical role of PWDs in shaping a more inclusive future.
Speaking further, Oloyede said since its inception, JAMB has rolled out several initiatives to promote inclusivity in education. These include establishing specialized testing centers and reducing the UTME registration fee from N5,000 to N3,500 to make tertiary education more accessible.
The Registrar also noted that candidates with disabilities possessing five O’level credits in the Senior Secondary Certificate are provided with free application documents, along with waivers on other fees, such as those for Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centers.
To further assist candidates with visual impairments and other disabilities requiring special examination arrangements, JAMB provides free accommodation, transportation subsidies, and transit support during the examination period. Additionally, candidates have access to necessary assistive tools, such as braille machines and screen readers, while teachers receive training on inclusive teaching methods.
Professor Oloyede expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Education’s endorsement of the ‘Strategic Roadmap for Inclusive Access to Quality Higher Education in Nigeria,’ a policy that incorporates specific waivers and incentives for PWD candidates.
He called on stakeholders—including government agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society—to collaborate with JAMB in promoting this inclusive cause.
