Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has called for increased public education efforts aimed at supporting individuals with special needs.
Speaking at the First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Abuja, Hon. Abbas, represented by House Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, stressed the importance of enforcing laws that protect people with disabilities and promote inclusive education.
The conference brought together key players in the education sector, including the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to discuss strategies for improving access to higher education for all.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, lauded the conference as a vital step towards achieving inclusive education across the nation. Similarly, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, reaffirmed the board’s dedication to ensuring that tertiary education is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or learning challenges.
Mr. Abdullahi Usman, President of the National Association for Persons with Disabilities, praised JAMB’s ongoing efforts and urged the federal government to consider adopting Nigerian Sign Language as the country’s second official language, to further support inclusivity.
The conference underscored the essential role of education in personal and societal development, calling for a collective commitment to making higher education accessible to all, irrespective of their abilities.
Reporter: Edidiong Ibanga, ADBN News.
