The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that persons with disabilities (PWDs) will receive free application forms for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), reaffirming the board’s commitment to inclusive access to higher education.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed the policy while speaking on the board’s support framework for candidates with special needs. He said the initiative is designed to remove financial and structural barriers that often limit educational opportunities for Nigerians living with disabilities.
“Education must be accessible to all, regardless of physical challenges,” Oloyede said. “By offering free UTME forms to candidates with disabilities, we are ensuring that no qualified Nigerian is excluded from pursuing higher education because of cost or circumstance.”
In addition to waiving application fees, JAMB said it will continue to provide special examination accommodations for candidates with disabilities. These include tailored examination centres, assistive devices, and trained personnel to support candidates during the UTME.
The board also noted that candidates with disabilities are examined under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), a programme specifically created to ensure fairness and dignity throughout the examination process.
Disability rights advocates have welcomed the announcement, describing it as a positive step toward equal educational access.
“This policy recognizes the additional challenges faced by PWDs and helps level the playing field,” said a representative of a disability advocacy group. “What matters now is effective implementation.”
JAMB advised eligible candidates to properly indicate their disability status during registration to benefit from the waiver and access appropriate support. The board warned against false claims, noting that verification measures are in place.
The initiative comes amid broader efforts by education authorities to expand inclusion and reduce systemic barriers in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
With the free UTME forms and dedicated examination support, JAMB says it hopes to encourage more persons with disabilities to pursue university, polytechnic, and college of education placements—strengthening diversity and equity across the nation’s campuses.
