By TQM News,
The dream of higher education has become a reality for thousands of Nigerians with disabilities as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through its Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), has successfully facilitated the admission of 4,216 candidates with disabilities into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country over the last decade.
The remarkable milestone was unveiled on Wednesday during the 2026 JAMB National Stakeholder Engagement on Inclusivity and Higher Education held in Abuja, where education stakeholders, disability advocates, policymakers and development partners gathered to assess progress made in expanding access to tertiary education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and chart a new course for the future.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, described the initiative as one of the most successful inclusion programmes in Nigeria’s education sector, noting that it has consistently demonstrated that disability is not a barrier to academic excellence.
According to him, the JEOG was established by the outgoing JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, to eliminate barriers preventing candidates with disabilities from participating in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and accessing higher education on an equal footing with their peers.
Over Half of Candidates Secure Admission Every Year
Professor Okebukola revealed that since the programme commenced ten years ago, 4,216 candidates with different categories of disabilities have benefited from the initiative, with an average admission rate of 53 percent annually.
He explained that the beneficiaries include candidates with visual impairment, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, albinism and several other disability conditions.
“In the last 10 years, we have had 4,216 candidates with different categories of disabilities participate in the programme. On the average, about 53 per cent of them gain admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education every year,” he stated.
He stressed that the success recorded by the programme was achieved without compromising academic standards.
“We Do Not Lower Standards”
Dispelling the misconception that candidates with disabilities receive preferential academic treatment, Professor Okebukola emphasized that the Board applies the same examination standards to every UTME candidate, regardless of disability.
According to him, candidates with disabilities answer exactly the same examination questions as every other applicant, proving that equal opportunity—not reduced expectations—is the foundation of genuine inclusion.
“We do not lower standards for them. They answer the same questions as every other candidate. I am continually amazed by how excellently they perform. Many of them are exceptionally brilliant,” he said.
He further disclosed that many beneficiaries have gone on to study highly competitive courses, including Law and other professional disciplines, reinforcing the fact that disability does not diminish intellectual capacity when appropriate support systems are available.
Artificial Intelligence to Shape the Future of Inclusive Education
Looking beyond the achievements of the past decade, Professor Okebukola said stakeholders at the engagement examined emerging opportunities for making higher education even more inclusive, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking centre stage.
He explained that AI has the potential to transform learning, assessment, communication and accessibility for students with disabilities across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“We are reviewing what we have achieved in the last 10 years and looking ahead. One of the major issues that will shape the future of higher education is Artificial Intelligence, and we are examining how AI can improve the efficiency of inclusivity in higher education,” he noted.
Education experts at the forum explored how AI-powered assistive technologies could improve learning experiences for students with visual, hearing, physical and cognitive disabilities, while also enhancing accessibility in teaching, examinations and campus life.
Two Landmark Publications Unveiled
The stakeholder engagement also witnessed the unveiling of two significant publications designed to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The first publication, “A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria,” was produced in honour of Professor Is-haq Oloyede and features scholarly contributions from 44 academics, offering insights into the future direction of higher education in Nigeria.
The second publication, titled “Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success – Manual for Underage Students in Nigerian Universities,” was authored by Professor Okebukola to provide guidance for parents, lecturers, university administrators and other stakeholders supporting exceptionally gifted students admitted into universities before the age of 16.
Professor Okebukola explained that the manual was developed after extensive consultations involving 468 scholars and underage students across Nigerian universities.
According to him, the publication addresses challenges commonly faced by underage students, including bullying, emotional adjustment, social integration, academic pressure and overall well-being.
TETFund Commends Oloyede’s Legacy
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, paid glowing tribute to Professor Oloyede for his transformational leadership at JAMB.
Echono praised the outgoing Registrar for introducing reforms that have significantly enhanced the credibility, transparency and integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination while expanding educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He described Oloyede’s tenure as one marked by innovation, accountability and commitment to inclusive education.
Recognition for Inclusive Excellence
As part of the event, JAMB honoured outstanding members of staff and institutions whose contributions have advanced accessibility, inclusion and excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The awards underscored the Board’s commitment to rewarding innovation and encouraging institutions to embrace disability-inclusive practices.
A Decade of Breaking Barriers
For disability rights advocates, the achievements recorded by the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group represent far more than statistics—they symbolize hope, dignity and equal opportunity for thousands of Nigerians whose aspirations were once limited by inaccessible educational systems.
Over the past decade, JEOG has become a model of inclusive educational practice by ensuring that candidates with disabilities receive the accommodations they need to participate fully in the UTME without compromising examination integrity or academic standards.
The programme continues to demonstrate that when accessibility, equal opportunity and merit are combined, students with disabilities can excel alongside their peers and make meaningful contributions to national development.
As Nigeria looks toward the future of higher education, stakeholders agree that expanding inclusive policies, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and strengthening institutional support systems will be critical to ensuring that no qualified student is left behind because of disability.
