In a recent interview, Charles Ampitan discussed the significant advancements in educational access for candidates with special needs in Nigeria, particularly due to the establishment of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG). He emphasized that 2017 marked a pivotal moment in the Nigerian educational landscape, as it represented the first substantial initiative aimed at improving access to tertiary education for people with disabilities (PWDs).

According to Ampitan, this milestone was largely driven by Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, who, shortly after his appointment in 2016, established JEOG. Led by Professor Peter Okebukola, this 11-member committee is tasked with ensuring that all eligible candidates receive a fair opportunity in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), effectively eliminating discrimination against individuals based on their disabilities.

Ampitan noted that JEOG is part of a broader policy initiative focused on fostering inclusivity in the examination and admission processes. Alongside this, other initiatives have been introduced, such as simplifying the UTME procedures to just nine computer keys and establishing additional groups dedicated to promoting inclusive assessment practices within JAMB’s operations.

One of the most striking aspects of this initiative is that Professor Oloyede initiated these changes without external pressure or official mandates, driven solely by a commitment to create a more equitable educational environment. As a result, in the 2023/2024 academic year alone, students with disabilities were admitted to 133 institutions across Nigeria.

The committee, comprised of accomplished academics with expertise in special education, has seen a steady increase in the number of candidates with disabilities successfully navigating the UTME and gaining admission over the years. To further support these candidates, JAMB has designated 11 examination centers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as of 2021, providing transportation and lodging assistance for both candidates and their guides.

JEOG has played a crucial role in developing stress-free examination processes for candidates with disabilities, leading to a notable rise in enrollment statistics. For instance, the admission of candidates with disabilities skyrocketed from just 44 in 2014 to 286 in 2021.

Shining a light on the broader issues faced by individuals with disabilities, JEOG organized Nigeria’s first national conference in Abuja in September 2023, themed “Towards Increasing Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria.” This event drew over 500 participants from diverse sectors of society, highlighting the urgent need for reform in educational access.

Building on the success of the national conference, JEOG hosted the first Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) in September 2024. This conference, centered on “Advancing the Potential of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development,” evaluated the progress of African nations in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims for inclusive and equitable education.

The ARCEAHED conference also served as a platform to address significant barriers faced by students with disabilities and proposed actionable solutions to improve their access to higher education. Participants, including Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to inclusive education and unveiled strategic plans for creating supportive learning environments for PWDs.

Ultimately, as Ampitan articulated, the initiatives put forth by JEOG represent a transformative step in fostering inclusive education in Nigeria, propelling not only national discussions but also broader strategies aimed at increasing enrollment rates for people with disabilities throughout Africa.