In what has been described as a beacon of hope for inclusive education in Nigeria, a total of 32 candidates with disabilities and other special conditions sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ekiti State under the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).
The special UTME session, which held at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, was part of JAMB’s strategic initiative to bridge the educational gap for candidates with disabilities, reaffirming its commitment to leaving no one behind in the quest for academic excellence.
Addressing journalists at the examination centre, the Ekiti State Coordinator of JAMB Equal Opportunity Group, Professor Rasheed Aderinoye, described the programme as a life-changing opportunity created to guarantee equitable access to higher education for all Nigerian youths, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.
“This initiative is designed to promote inclusivity in Nigeria’s education sector. We want candidates with special needs to know they are not forgotten. The JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, introduced this programme in 2017 to ensure that disability is not a barrier to academic dreams,” he said.
Now in its seventh year, the JEOG programme has consistently empowered candidates with various forms of disabilities — including blindness, low vision, and mobility impairments — by organizing specialized examination centres with adaptive facilities and expert support.
According to Prof. Aderinoye, a total of 501 candidates with special needs registered to write this year’s UTME across 11 centres nationwide. He lauded the unwavering leadership of JAMB and its Registrar for the foresight and commitment to inclusion, emphasizing that “it is the thought of the Registrar that everybody must be carried along.”
“This is not charity; it is justice. We are creating an education system where everyone, irrespective of ability or disability, has the opportunity to compete fairly and contribute meaningfully to the society,” he added.
The initiative has drawn commendation from several quarters, including the Ekiti State Government. Representing the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, at the event was the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Adetoun Agboola. She reiterated the state government’s commitment to advancing inclusive education policies.
“Our government is proud of what JAMB is doing for special learners. We believe that education is a right and not a privilege. That is why the state university is establishing a dedicated Department of Special Education to support students from special schools and open doors of higher learning to all,” she said.
Mrs. Agboola affirmed that the Ekiti State Government remains committed to ensuring no student, regardless of their condition, is left behind. “We will continue to support our special students, just like we have been doing. Education must be for all, not a few,” she said passionately.
In a strong show of support, the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Babalola Ayodele, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Williams Adebayo, applauded JAMB’s proactive inclusion agenda.
“Education is a fundamental human right, and EKSU is ready to play its part,” he said. “Our university has the facilities, staff, and determination to support students with disabilities. Mechanisms have already been put in place to ensure these candidates receive all the academic and social support they need if they gain admission into EKSU.”
For many of the candidates, the opportunity to write the UTME in a supportive and non-discriminatory environment was more than just an exam — it was a symbol of hope, dignity, and possibility.
Olabode Blessing, one of the candidates, could not contain her excitement and gratitude. “This opportunity has enlivened my hope. I have always wanted to study Linguistics, and now I believe that dream is within my reach. Thank you, JAMB, for giving people like me a chance,” she said with a bright smile.
Another candidate, Olatunbosun Kehinde, praised both JAMB and the federal government, describing the initiative as a lifeline that has helped him believe in his abilities again. “This is not just about passing an exam. It is about being seen, being heard, and being included. I’m grateful because now I know my dreams are valid,” he said.
The story of these candidates in Ekiti is just one thread in the growing fabric of disability-inclusive education in Nigeria. With over 500 special needs candidates participating in this year’s UTME nationwide, the JEOG programme is reshaping narratives and inspiring a new generation of learners who are determined to rise above the limitations imposed by their disabilities.
As the 2025 UTME unfolds, one thing is certain — inclusion is no longer a choice, it is a mandate. And thanks to the visionary leadership of JAMB, the resilience of the candidates, and the support from stakeholders like the Ekiti State Government and EKSU, the future of inclusive education in Nigeria is not just promising — it is already unfolding.
