Peter Okebukola, chairman of JEOG and former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), announced the development on Wednesday at the 2026 JAMB national stakeholder engagement on inclusivity and higher education held at the NUC headquarters in Abuja.

The JAMB equal opportunity group is an initiative established by Ishaq Oloyede, outgoing registrar of JAMB, to provide candidates with disabilities equal access to the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) and admission into tertiary institutions.

Okebukola said the programme has recorded significant progress over the past 10 years, with an average of 53 percent of participating candidates gaining admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education annually.

He said the beneficiaries include candidates with visual impairment, autism, Down syndrome, albinism and other disabilities.

“In the last 10 years, we have had 4,216 candidates with different categories of disabilities participate in the programme. On the average, about 53 percent of them gain admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education every year,” he said.

Okebukola stressed that candidates with disabilities are assessed under the same academic standards as other UTME candidates.

“We do not lower standards for them. They answer the same questions as every other candidate. I am continually amazed by how excellently they perform. Many of them are exceptionally brilliant,” he said.

He noted that many beneficiaries have gone on to study competitive courses, including law and other professional programmes, demonstrating that disability is not a barrier to academic excellence when adequate support is provided.

AI TO SHAPE INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION

Speaking on the theme of the stakeholder engagement, Okebukola said participants reviewed the achievements of the initiative over the last decade while exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be deployed to deepen inclusivity in higher education.

“We are reviewing what we have achieved in the last 10 years and looking ahead. One of the major issues that will shape the future of higher education is Artificial Intelligence, and we are examining how AI can improve the efficiency of inclusivity in higher education,” he said.

As part of activities marking the anniversary of the programme, two books were unveiled.

One of the books, “A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria“, was produced in honour of Oloyede and features contributions from 44 scholars on the future of Nigeria’s higher education system.

The second publication, “Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success – Manual for Underage Students in Nigerian Universities”, authored by Okebukola, provides guidance for parents, lecturers, administrators and other stakeholders on supporting exceptionally gifted students admitted into universities before the age of 16.

According to Okebukola, the manual was developed after extensive consultations with 468 scholars and underage students already enrolled in Nigerian universities. It focuses on helping young undergraduates navigate challenges such as bullying, emotional adjustment and social integration.

JAMB HONOURS STAFF, INSTITUTIONS

The event also featured tributes to Oloyede from stakeholders, including Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), who commended the outgoing JAMB registrar for reforms that have strengthened the credibility of the UTME and expanded access to higher education for persons with disabilities.

JAMB also presented awards to outstanding members of staff, particularly personnel in its Information Technology Department, in recognition of their dedication and innovation in improving the board’s operations.

Several tertiary institutions were equally honoured for their commitment to admitting and supporting candidates with disabilities, in line with JAMB’s efforts to promote a more inclusive higher education system.

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In a statement on Monday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND director of strategic communications, said the agency is worried over arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges by some institutions, warning that such actions undermine the objectives of the federal government’s student loan scheme.

Oseyemi said the fund had received reports of affected students and is taking steps to address the situation.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has noted with concern reports of some tertiary institutions delaying or refusing to refund students whose tuition fees had already been paid before NELFUND disbursements, as well as arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges,” the statement reads.

She noted that the student loan scheme, introduced under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was established to remove financial barriers to higher education and should not become an avenue for imposing additional burdens on students.

According to her, NELFUND is engaging the affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive refunds where due and that institutional charges remain fair and transparent.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and maintaining the integrity of the student loan scheme, describing it as a landmark national intervention.

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Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s public communication adviser, said in a statement on Sunday that the initiative is aimed at celebrating academic excellence, rewarding merit and encouraging young Nigerians to strive for outstanding educational achievements.

Benjamin said each of the seven awardees emerged through a rigorous, transparent and merit-based selection process coordinated by the examination body.

According to him, the recipients distinguished themselves during the 2025 admission exercise by recording exceptional performances in both the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) and the post-UTME or institutional screening exercises conducted by their respective universities.

Benjamin said six of the awardees represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award is reserved for the highest-performing admitted candidate with a disability.

The beneficiaries are students admitted into the University of Lagos, University of Uyo, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, University of Maiduguri and the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

The University of Lagos is the only institution with two award recipients, producing the south-west zonal winner and the recipient in the category for candidates with disabilities.

JAMB spokesperson said the award, sponsored by Rite Foods Limited, reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to promoting excellence in education and recognising outstanding academic performance.

The ceremony is expected to attract more than 300 participants drawn from the education sector, government, academia and the corporate community.

Among the expected dignitaries are Tunji Alausa, minister of education, Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, vice-chancellors of the universities attended by the award recipients, vice-chancellors of universities in Lagos state, and chief executives of key regulatory agencies.

Also expected are representatives of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), principal officers of tertiary institutions, education stakeholders, development partners, corporate leaders, students and members of the media.

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Announcing the outcome of the grant cycle at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said the grants were awarded after a rigorous and competitive selection process conducted by the national research fund screening and monitoring committee (NRFS&MC).

Echono said the selection process involved the submission and evaluation of concept notes, assessment of full research proposals, oral defence sessions in Abuja, and final selection of successful projects.

According to him, the grants were awarded across thematic areas aligned with national development priorities, including health and social welfare, agriculture and food security, science and engineering, power and energy, education and human capital development, gender and social inclusion, conflict and security, blue economy, clean and affordable energy, and innovation in national defence capabilities.

He said individual grants ranged from N13.7 million to N49.98 million.

The TETFund boss disclosed that the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, emerged as the highest-performing institution with 18 successful research grants.

It was followed by the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Owerri, with 11 grants, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, with 10.

Other institutions with strong performances include the University of Ilorin with eight grants, Bayero University Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka with seven each, and the University of Jos with six.

The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, secured five grants each.

Echono said newly established institutions also featured among the beneficiaries, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.

Several state-owned institutions also secured grants, among them Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University and Sokoto State University.

Polytechnics that emerged successful include Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Federal Polytechnic Moguno, Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Yaba College of Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic and Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto.

Among colleges of education, beneficiaries include the College of Education Katsina, Osun State College of Education Ilesa and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma.

Echono congratulated the successful institutions and research teams, describing the grants as a reward for excellence following a highly competitive process.

He added that the conclusion of the 2025 NRF grant cycle clears the way for the commencement of the 2026 cycle.

The TETFund executive secretary urged researchers and scholars across Nigerian tertiary institutions to begin preparing and submitting concept notes for the next round of grants.

“We wish to congratulate the institutions and research teams that emerged successful after such a rigorous and competitive selection process,” he said.

“The fund will soon commence the process for the award of the 2026 NRF grant cycle. We encourage scholars and researchers to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their concept notes.”

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The committee was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday by Sonny Echono, the executive secretary of TETFund.

The panel is chaired by Chris Maiyaki, a former acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Speaking at the inauguration, Echono said the committee has one month to provide strategic guidance on the design, equipment specification, deployment and sustainable management of the laboratories to ensure maximum impact.

He said the initiative aligns with the legacy goals of the present administration to strengthen research culture and infrastructure in the country.

“Today’s event is part of the legacies of the present administration to build in this nation a research culture and the supporting infrastructure that will help to transform our country from one of consumption to one that not only produces but is able to compete with its peers across the globe,” he said.

Echono explained that the committee would review and update the equipment list earlier recommended for the laboratories, taking into account rapid technological changes and the risk of obsolescence.

According to him, the terms of reference include reviewing and updating the proposed equipment list; recommending high-quality and cost-effective equipment for phased procurement where necessary; and assessing the adequacy of the management framework for the laboratories.

Other responsibilities, he said, include making additional recommendations to ensure the effective operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the laboratories, including industry collaboration and revenue generation.

“We are living in times of rapid obsolescence. The technology field is very disruptive. There is a need for constant review,” Echono said.

He added that sustainable economic growth depends on innovative, solution-driven research supported by adequate infrastructure, assuring that the multipurpose laboratories would be equipped with alternative power supply to guarantee round-the-clock research activities.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Maiyaki thanked TETFund for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged their commitment to deliver within the stipulated timeframe.

“We do not take for granted the confidence and the trust that you have bestowed on us to contribute our own quota in the successful execution of this very important national assignment of historic significance,” he said.

Maiyaki said members of the committee, drawn from research, higher education and governance sectors, had already familiarised themselves with the terms of reference and were prepared to meet expectations.

He noted that the proposed high-tech, centralised laboratories would play a critical role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

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The degree was conferred on Monday in Kuala Lumpur during the institution’s convocation ceremony, in recognition of Maiyaki’s contributions to higher education development, policy innovation, and international academic collaboration.

The ceremony attracted academics, policymakers, and dignitaries, alongside a large Nigerian delegation, particularly from Gombe state, where Lincoln University recently established a branch campus.

 Maiyaki described the honour as humbling and symbolic, noting its significance coming from an institution renowned for innovation and leadership in the global higher education space.

He traced Lincoln University’s journey from its founding as Lincoln College in 2002, its elevation to a university college in 2011, and its emergence as a major player in transnational education (TNE).

Maiyaki recalled that the Nigerian government and the NUC formally approved the establishment of Lincoln University’s Gombe campus in 2025, describing it as Nigeria’s first practical transnational education experiment.

“It is with pride and deep fulfilment that we are here as a huge contingent from Nigeria, and Gombe state in particular, to celebrate Lincoln University Gombe campus,” he said,

“The story of Lincoln and Gombe has already begun, and from what we have seen, the future looks excellent.”

According to him, the university has gained national attention within one year of operations for advancing higher education through digital technology, innovative curricula, research, and co-creation.

Maiyaki said the honorary degree transcends personal recognition, describing it as a symbol of collective commitment to the internationalisation of higher education as a pathway to access, equity, and national development.

He added that the honour comes at a time when global stakeholders are re-examining the mission and purpose of university education.

“I accept this honour on behalf of my colleagues at the National Universities Commission, policymakers, and all stakeholders who continue to champion innovative ideas in education,” he said.

Maiyaki pledged to continue advocating policies that strengthen higher education in Nigeria and beyond, stressing that education remains the most transformative investment any nation can make.

He dedicated the award to graduating students of Lincoln University, commending their confidence in transnational education and urging institutions to intensify efforts toward equitable, digital-driven learning.

He also expressed optimism that the Gombe campus would produce not just graduates but global citizens and transformational leaders, pledging to champion partnerships and innovation in his role as an honorary graduand of the university.

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Masari, a former governor of Katsina state, also stressed the importance of moral uprightness and institutional resilience as key pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s education sector and broader development efforts.

He spoke on Saturday at the 17th convocation ceremony of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in public administration in recognition of his contributions to public service, education, human capital development and leadership.

The TETFund board chairman said a strong orientation towards technology had become inevitable for the survival of higher education institutions and the nation at large.

“In today’s world, a deliberate tilt towards technology is no longer optional; it is inevitable. The growing number of graduates produced annually by our universities demands a paradigm shift that ensures they are equipped with relevant skills to compete in an increasingly interconnected global environment,” he said.

Masari urged Nigerian youths to embrace modern technology and harness it to develop innovative solutions in critical sectors such as agriculture, security, healthcare, service delivery and mineral exploration.

In his acceptance speech, he thanked the university community for the honour and paid tribute to the visionaries behind the establishment of Al-Qalam University.

Speaking on politics, Masari advised political leaders to exercise caution and embrace leadership rooted in purpose, patriotism and national development as the country approaches another cycle of political activities and elections.

He warned that global developments have shown that even advanced democracies could experience political destabilisation when competition is unchecked, stressing that patriotism must take precedence over personal ambition.

Also speaking at the event,  Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, described education as the most powerful tool for sustainable development.

Radda said his administration had invested more than N6 billion in scholarship awards for at least 174,451 students studying in tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.

According to him, the investment, which also covers infrastructure development and skills acquisition programmes, is aimed at preparing young people academically, morally and economically for global competitiveness.

Earlier, Nasiru Yawuri, the vice-chancellor of Al-Qalam University, said the institution graduated 1,109 students across various disciplines.

He added that 18 students graduated with first class honours, 280 earned second class upper degrees, while 507 graduated with second class lower degrees.

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Speaking at the signing ceremony, Elsie Attafuah, UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, described the partnership as “a defining moment” in the country’s effort to build an innovation-driven and knowledge-powered economy.

Attafuah said the agreement followed months of joint consultation and co-creation, culminating in the national innovation and digital transformation partnership programme (NIDTPP) — an initiative designed to transform universities and polytechnics into engines of creativity, inclusive growth and technology-driven development.

She highlighted early gains of the collaboration, referencing the ’emerging mining tech unipod at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and the ‘artificial intelligence unipod at the University of Lagos — state-of-the-art facilities accelerating mineral value addition, geoscience advancement, clean-energy solutions, artificial intelligence deployment and next-generation skill development.

“These are not isolated projects. They belong to the first cohort of eight university innovation ports and one polytechnic port ready for activation, from Borno to Benue, Abia to Akwa Ibom, all aligned with Nigeria’s economic priorities,” she said.

According to her, the Unipods are “purpose-built innovation engines” that will link researchers to industry, investors and markets while strengthening the country’s competitiveness through research commercialisation.

She said the partnership leverages TETFund’s wide institutional reach and UNDP’s continental innovation assets such as the Timbuktu Pan-African innovation initiative, placing Nigerian higher institutions firmly at the centre of Africa’s emerging innovation landscape.

Attafuah applauded TETFund’s longstanding role in strengthening the nation’s tertiary education system, noting that the Fund has supported infrastructure, expanded research and trained thousands of scholars nationwide.

“UNDP is honoured to partner with you in this next phase — one focused deliberately on innovation, digital transformation and the knowledge economy,” she said.

Sonny Echono, TETFund’s executive secretary, said the MoU is “a momentous day” that aligns with the Fund’s reforms to overhaul curriculum delivery and equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills.

He noted that global demographic trends show that countries like Nigeria will supply a significant share of the future workforce, making innovation-focused skill acquisition a priority.

“To fill that gap, we must prepare our youth adequately. That is why we are replicating innovation hubs on our campuses and now scaling them up significantly,” Echono said.

He revealed that TETFund has tripled its allocation for innovation hubs in the 2025 intervention cycle, with efforts to fully integrate the facilities into academic programmes and development needs.

Echono expressed confidence that UNDP’s global expertise and credibility will help accelerate learning, strengthen programme design and expand impact across the higher education sector.

“This partnership will make our growth faster, our systems stronger and our institutions more relevant to the communities they serve,” he said, adding that the alliance supports President Bola Tinubu’s transformation agenda in the sector.

In a joint statement, Christabel Ginsberg, UNDP’s public engagement, outreach and partnerships lead, and Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s director of corporate affairs, reaffirmed both organisations’ commitment to empowering institutions, nurturing innovators and transforming research outputs into job-creating enterprises.

They said Nigeria is entering a “defining decade” where innovation, digital capacity and knowledge ecosystems will drive economic competitiveness.

According to the statement, the partnership — implemented through NIDTPP — will focus on five strategic pillars, including institutionalising innovation across tertiary institutions, strengthening Nigeria’s human capital for transformative innovation, accelerating commercialisation and frontier technology adoption, expanding sustainable financing for innovation and enhancing governance, policy and impact-measurement systems.

Through the MoU, both parties aim to activate eight university innovation pods and one polytechnic pod, upgrade 9+ existing TETFund-supported innovation facilities, establish or strengthen 15–20 technology transfer offices, equip over 500,000 students and researchers with digital and innovation skills, support 1,500–2,000, university-linked startups and commercialise 5,000 research outputs.

The organisations said the partnership signals a new phase in Nigeria’s pursuit of innovation-led growth — one that places tertiary institutions at the heart of job creation, prosperity and national competitiveness.

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According to statement by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s director of strategic communications, said rise in students’ loan in the state followed an outreach, held in Ijebu-Ife recently.

Oluwatuyi said the session brought together students, parents, guardians, community leaders and education stakeholders to deepen awareness of how to apply for and access the federal government-backed student loan scheme.

Speaking during the programme, Femi Adewumi, facilitator of the event, said the goal was to ensure that no student is denied higher education because of financial constraints.

“I am proud of the impact this sensitisation has achieved, and I commend NELFUND for delivering real opportunities to our young people,” he said.

According to figures released by NELFUND, three institutions in Ogun state have already confirmed receipt of loan disbursements, including Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic.

Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND managing director, described the outcome of the sensitisation exercise as clear evidence of what can be achieved when government institutions and local stakeholders work together.

“Our mission is to democratise access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background,” Sawyerr said.

“The support from community leaders such as Otunba Femi Adewumi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when we collaborate.”

Sawyerr added that the fund will continue expanding its sensitisation efforts across all six geopolitical zones to ensure broad awareness and seamless access to the loan platform.

He also acknowledged Adewumi’s role in facilitating the Ijebu-Ife programme, saying his involvement was critical to the surge in applications and disbursements recorded in the state.

Sawyerr reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all eligible students across the country are informed, supported and empowered to benefit from the student loan scheme.

More sensitisation activities and institutional visits, he said, are already scheduled nationwide.

See the beneficiary institutions and the amount disbursed below.

Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose

• Batch 1: 264 students — ₦33,575,000

• Batch 2: 59 students — ₦6,997,500
  Total: ₦40,572,500

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

• 3,473 students — ₦718,585,000

Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic

• Batch 1: 87 students — ₦12,164,500

• Batch 2: 18 students — ₦14,779,500

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