A leading disability advocacy group, the Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB), has raised an alarm over the high cost of education for blind students in Nigeria, calling for immediate and practical reforms to make inclusive education a reality.
The group expressed skepticism over the recently announced partnership between the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), questioning whether the collaboration would bring about real change or remain a symbolic gesture.
In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, CITAB Executive Chairman, Mr. Jolomi Fenemigho, said that while the initiative is well-intentioned, it risks being reduced to “window dressing” unless backed by concrete 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. Blind students cannot afford to be left waiting as mere buzzwords and press releases substitute for real progress,” Fenemigho said.
CITAB specifically highlighted the prohibitive cost of assistive educational tools — including braille math devices and screen readers — needed by blind students to participate equally in academic settings.
According to Fenemigho, many families simply cannot afford these devices, leaving thousands of students at a severe disadvantage.
“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,” he added.
The group also criticised JAMB’s continued use of outdated exam formats for blind candidates, where students either rely on braille to write answers or have their answers dictated to sighted officials.
CITAB argued that this compromises the autonomy, privacy, and dignity of blind candidates.
CITAB called for a full transition to computer-based testing (CBT) using screen-reading technology, which would allow blind candidates to write exams independently.
They urged JAMB to collaborate directly with disability-focused organisations to provide hands-on training for students and to organise mock CBT exams to help candidates prepare in advance.
“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,” Fenemigho said.
CITAB reaffirmed its readiness to support efforts that result in meaningful progress.
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