JAMB HOSTS FIRST AFRICA REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON EQUAL  OPPORTUNITY OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to host the first-ever Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) in Abuja, Nigeria, from September 16-19, 2024. This pioneering event aims to champion the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in higher education across the African continent.

As the curtains draw open, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jubrin, will formally declare the conference open, setting the tone for a transformative experience. The Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, will grace the occasion as the guest of honour, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive education.

Renowned advocate for exceptional children, Prof. Ali Tijani, President of the National Association for Exceptional Children, Bayero University, Kano, will deliver a thought-provoking keynote address. His words will inspire and challenge participants to rethink the status quo and strive for a more inclusive future.

Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and chairman of the organizing committee, has been instrumental in shaping this conference. His dedication to the cause is evident in the meticulous planning and execution of this groundbreaking event.

Other distinguished personalities who will share their insights and experiences include Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the JAMB-JEOG, and Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar and chief host. Their remarks will provide valuable perspectives on the journey towards equal access to higher education.

Goodwill messages will pour in from esteemed organizations and individuals, including the National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities; Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the Association of Africa Universities (Accra), and Prof. Juma Shabani, Chairman, Burundi National Commission for Higher Education. The Executive Secretaries of NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund, House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, will also extend their support and encouragement.

As representatives from eight African countries – Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Egypt – gather in Abuja, the stage is set for a historic event that will pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable higher education system in Africa. The ARCEAHED conference is a beacon of hope for a brighter future, where every individual has access to quality education, regardless of their abilities.