Acknowledgment has been given to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their initiative of offering free application forms to students with disabilities who want to sit for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), as long as they have five O-level credits.
Through this programme, an estimated 4,000 people with disabilities are expected to benefit.According to the JAMB Bulletin acquired in Abuja on Monday, Hon. Bashiru Dawodu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, voiced his admiration.
According to him, decisions reached during the “First National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria,” which was held on September 26, 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, led to the release of free application materials.
Representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 1, Hon. Dawodu hailed the gesture as a “wonderful idea,” emphasizing its potential to improve access to higher education and eliminate financial barriers for disabled candidates.
The chairman advocated for free education for candidates with disabilities at all levels and automatic job placement upon graduation.
He urged government agencies and the private sector to emulate JAMB by implementing policies that benefit disabled candidates.
Hon. Dawodu praised JAMB for its effective administration and activities related to persons living with disabilities (PLWD), emphasizing the committee’s satisfaction with JAMB’s performance in this regard.
He praised Prof. Oloyede, calling him an exceptional supporter of inclusive education and recognising the beneficial improvements he made to JAMB by utilising cutting-edge technology. Special recognition was given to the establishment of the JAMB-Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) in order to accommodate applicants with impairments, especially the blind.
When building Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and developing infrastructure, Hon. Dawodu encouraged the Registrar to take the interests of People with Disabilities (PLWD) into account and make sure the facilities are easier for candidates with disabilities to utilise.
Reiterating the committee’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, Hon. Dawodu commended JAMB for its generous recommendation of free application document donations to candidates with disabilities, deeming it long overdue.
JAMB’s initiative has been deemed commendable by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), as it is expected to help around 4,000 members of their organisation.
The National President of JONAPWD, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, thanked the organisation for the effort and advised the disabled community to take advantage of JAMB, describing it as a rare opportunity for inclusivity in the Nigerian educational system.
He wished Prof. Is-haq Oloyede luck in his position and acknowledged him as a noteworthy representative of the disabled community.