In a landmark move for inclusive education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is sponsoring 501 physically challenged candidates to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across 11 specialized centres nationwide covering their transportation, accommodation, personal aides, and exam logistics.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, who monitored the UTME at the Centre for the Blind, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja on Tuesday, hailed the gesture as a national model for social inclusion. “Without these provisions, many would never have had the chance to write this exam,” she said.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to equity, disclosing that over N200,000 is spent on each candidate’s participation. “We believe those who are differently abled can perform wonders. That’s why we ensure they feel valued by the nation,” he said.
The Board currently operates 11 disability-specialized centres nationwide, with additional provisions for hearing-impaired candidates at general CBT centres, including written instructions and visual cues.
Thanks to this policy, over 70 percent of last year’s physically challenged candidates secured admission into tertiary institutions. NOUN’s Centre Coordinator, Professor Sunday Ododo, lauded the initiative, calling it “a national commitment to human dignity.
