By Samuel Sunday
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Ado-Ekiti Centre, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fair access and institutional support for candidates with special needs sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking to journalists at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, where the examination was held, the Ekiti State JEOG Centre Coordinator, Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, said the initiative was introduced 10 years ago by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, to expand tertiary education opportunities for disadvantaged candidates.
“He considered how to create opportunities for those who are disadvantaged. Among them are persons with special needs and the girl-child,” Aderinoye said. “For candidates with special needs, we established JEOG under the chairmanship of Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola. The group operates in 11 centres nationwide, including Abuja, Lagos, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Yola, Enugu, Bauchi, Jos, Kebbi, Benin, and Kano, to close gaps in educational access.”
Aderinoye disclosed that 24 candidates participated in the exercise at the Ado-Ekiti centre. He stressed that they sat for the same examination administered to all candidates across the country. He added that the initiative extends beyond access to promote fairness and dignity, with host institutions providing welfare support to ease the process for candidates.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Michael Olufemi Oke, described the UTME as a critical gateway to higher education in Nigeria and urged the candidates to remain focused and committed.
Prof. Oke listed provisions made for the candidates, which include free registration forms, free accommodation during the examination, subsidised transportation, and free T-shirts for easy identification. He noted that the university also provided free access to examination halls with adequate security. “The only way to appreciate all these is to perform well in the exam,” he said.
He stated that no course is beyond the reach of the candidates and expressed confidence in their ability to succeed. With proper preparation and determination, he said, they stand a strong chance of gaining admission in the next academic session.
Prof. Oke assured journalists of the university’s preparedness, noting that adequate facilities were in place to ensure a seamless and stress-free examination. He said the institution complements existing government support, such as free accommodation and feeding, by providing transportation and accessible examination halls.
Some candidates expressed optimism about the examination. Stephen Oluwasegun said he had prepared well and expected excellent results. Akinola Oluwatimileyin, 21, said she overcame initial anxiety through prayer and remained confident of success. She plans to study Social Studies Education at the university level.
