No fewer than 41 candidates with disabilities from the South-East and parts of the South-South participated in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at a special center in Enugu, organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG). The Faculty of Law Building at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, hosted the candidates, drawn from Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue states.
Prof. Okey Okechukwu, Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Ebonyi and JEOG Coordinator, underscored the initiative’s goal of fostering educational inclusion. “Physical disability does not equate to weakness. These candidates write the same exams as others, with accommodations tailored to their needs,” he said, citing Braille materials and oral question readings for visually impaired participants. Linda Okonkwo, a JEOG official at the center, praised the candidates’ conduct, emphasizing the drive to ensure “a level playing field” for admission opportunities.
Among the examinees was Ilkpoemugh Wariboko, who aspires to study Guidance and Counseling at the University of Port Harcourt. “I want to turn my passion for helping others into a profession,” she shared. Chimakpa Stephen, a visually impaired candidate applying for Social Work, described the exam as a pivotal moment in rebuilding his life after losing his sight. “Learning Braille revived my hope. I never imagined I could pursue education again,” he said, expressing gratitude for the chance to “feel among” peers.
The JEOG initiative reflects JAMB’s broader commitment to dismantling barriers in Nigeria’s education system, ensuring equitable access for students with disabilities.
