As part of effort to provide equal opportunities for persons with special needs to achieve their educational dreams, the Federal Government, through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has sponsored 37 visually-impaired candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Bauchi State.
The Deputy Coordinator of the UTME Bauchi Centre for the Blind at the University of Maiduguri, Professor Hadiza Bazza, made this disclosure to newsmen at the examination centre in Bauchi on Tuesday, 29 April, 2025.
Bazza, who disclosed that the candidates were drawn from four states in the Northeast zone: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe states, explained that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) introduced the special UTME Equal Opportunity Group programme for the blind in 2017.
According to her, the initiative was championed by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who recognised the need to support candidates living with disabilities, especially the blind and those with physical challenges.
“He saw that there are many persons with disabilities, the blind, the crippled, and others who, if given the opportunity, can perform excellently instead of ending up on the streets begging,” she said.
Bazza added that it is the prayer of the JAMB Registrar that every blind student who completed secondary education could register and sit for the UTME.
She explained that the examination is offered free of charge to all blind candidates, with the federal government covering transportation, accommodation, feeding, and other logistics.
“When they pass the exam, universities admit them. Some universities have special education faculties with trained teachers capable of handling the unique needs of these students,” she said.
Bazza expressed concern that while the government at the highest level was doing well in supporting blind candidates, many stakeholders at the grassroots, particularly parents, were not doing enough in this regard.
She urged stakeholders to create more awareness among communities to encourage persons with disabilities to access available educational opportunities, stressing that greater awareness would lead to higher participation in future UTME examinations.
The deputy coordinator also advised candidates to remain calm and motivated during the exams, emphasising the importance of discipline and adherence to the rules and regulations.
On his part, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Mohammed, commended the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group for their efforts in improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
He urged parents to support their children, especially those living with disabilities, to develop their potential and secure a brighter future.
The commissioner also assured all that the Bauchi State Government would intensify awareness campaigns to ensure that more parents and guardians take advantage of the special JAMB programmes available.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu, lamented that despite the state government’s investment in building schools, enrollment figures remain low.
He said, “Unfortunately, our people are yet to realise that without education, nothing can progress.”
Usman assured all that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board, would design a comprehensive awareness programme to encourage school enrollment, particularly among people with disabilities.
“Many people do not realise that being disabled does not mean you cannot be educated. You can still attend school.
“Although, as I said, there is a lack of willingness among our people to pursue education, but with proper enlightenment, many persons with disabilities will be encouraged to attend,” he assured.
