The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind has expressed concerns about the recently announced partnership between the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on inclusive education for blind students.
CITAB Executive Chairman, Mr. Jolomi George Fenemigho, querying the partnership between Hon. Ayuba Gufwan of NCPWD and Prof. Ishaq Oloyede of JAMB, said while the motive appears positive, much of it risks being window dressing without effective change.
The partnership between NCPWD and JAMB was announced as part of efforts to improve access to higher education for persons with disabilities, particularly blind students seeking admission to Nigerian universities.
Fenemigho urged both organisations to prioritise inclusive education, emphasising that blind students cannot afford prolonged delays in seeing tangible action.
“It is one thing for leaders to make promises and quite another to deliver. When so many glaring issues faced by blind students remain unaddressed, one has to question whether these talks are more about appearances than genuine action,” Fenemigho said in a statement issued in Lagos.
CITAB raised concerns about the prohibitive costs of specialised educational tools essential for blind students.
“While these offices advocate for change, the price tags on braille math devices, screen readers, and other assistive technologies remain a steep mountain many families cannot climb. Words without funding are just lip service to equality,” Fenemigho stated.
The organisation called on JAMB to fully commit to the Computer-Based Test format for blind candidates and stop allowing blind students to use braille to answer questions or rely on sighted officials to dictate exam questions and record answers.
“This outdated approach compromises the autonomy, privacy, and dignity of blind candidates and does not align with modern inclusive education standards,” Fenemigho said.
CITAB urged JAMB to actively partner with disability-based organisations focusing on blindness across Nigeria to provide practical training for blind candidates on the effective use of assistive technologies like screen readers.
“Mastery of these tools is critical for blind candidates to independently and confidently navigate the CBT interface,” Fenemigho explained.
The organisation recommended that JAMB organise mock examinations one to two months before the main exam to help blind candidates familiarise themselves with the exam format and technology.
This, according to CITAB, would reduce anxiety and boost confidence among blind candidates on exam day.
Fenemigho urged the relevant officials to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver tangible results.
“We need more than photo ops and handshakes. It’s time to roll up sleeves and prove this partnership is more than a well-crafted PR exercise,” he said.
CITAB said it remains ready to support the efforts with expertise and technology to ensure blind students receive practical support, but only if words translate into meaningful action.