The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that it incurs a cost exceeding ₦200,000 for each deaf candidate who registers for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board further explained that it integrates support for deaf candidates within standard examination centres, mandating that all instructions be delivered in written form to ensure equal treatment with other test-takers.

“These candidates receive identifying badges and visual aids. Although the cost per candidate is over ₦200,000, it is a necessary and worthwhile investment,” the board noted.

JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, made this statement on Tuesday while accompanying the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, on an inspection of the UTME at the Centre for the Blind, located at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters in Abuja. He reiterated that the expense is justified and essential.

Oloyede explained that aside from administering the exam, JAMB also reimburses registration fees for candidates who earn more than five credits once they arrive to take the UTME. He described this initiative as a moral obligation, reflecting the value placed on these candidates.

He emphasized the board’s strong dedication to equity, noting that inclusion is central to building a fair society.

“We are convinced that people living with disabilities have the potential to achieve great things. That’s why we strive to ensure they feel recognized and appreciated by the nation,” Oloyede said.

JAMB currently operates 11 specialized centres across several states—such as Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory—to serve candidates with disabilities.

According to the registrar, these centres were deliberately positioned to provide easier access for candidates in their local regions.

The inclusive strategy was crafted with input from educational leaders, including Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, and also offers guidance to higher education institutions on admitting and accommodating students with special needs.

As a result of this policy, more than 70% of last year’s physically challenged UTME candidates gained admission into various universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Following her assessment of the ongoing examination, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, praised JAMB for removing barriers within Nigeria’s education system by fully supporting 501 candidates with physical challenges in the 2025 UTME, held across 11 specialized centres.

Ahmad commended the board not only for facilitating access to the examination but also for assuming responsibility for all related expenses—including travel, lodging, and personal aides—for the special-needs candidates.

“Without these comprehensive provisions, many of these candidates would not have had the opportunity to sit for the exam,” she said, underscoring JAMB’s critical role in advancing the federal government’s goals for inclusive education.

She added that, under JAMB’s leadership in digital exam administration and inclusive policy development, comparable standards will soon be applied to NECO and WAEC, aligning Nigeria’s examination systems with international norms.

Professor Sunday Ododo, Centre Coordinator at NOUN, also expressed appreciation for JAMB’s ongoing efforts and commitment.

“We consider it a privilege to contribute to this process. What we’re witnessing here is more than just an exam—it represents a national pledge to uphold human dignity,” he stated.