Reprieve for Disadvantaged Learners as Scholars Advocate AI-Driven Education Reforms

Artificial intelligence could become a powerful tool for expanding access to higher education if deliberately deployed to address the needs of disadvantaged learners, the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) has said.

JEOG is a committee established by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to promote inclusive education and expand access to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for persons living with disabilities.

For the group, responsible deployment of artificial intelligence will bridge equity gaps, improve learning opportunities and build a more inclusive, efficient and responsive tertiary education system across Nigeria.

Persecondnews correspondent reports that the position was canvassed on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Engagement on Inclusive Higher Education and Artificial Intelligence, themed “Bridging Equity Gaps: Artificial Intelligence and Inclusive Higher Education in Nigeria.”

The conference also featured the presentation of  two books – “A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria, celebrating Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s decade as JAMB Registrar,” and “Early Start, Great Finish “, both by Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola.

Speaking at the conference, Okebukola said artificial intelligence presents higher education institutions with a realistic opportunity to improve efficiency while expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable learners.

“Artificial intelligence now offers us a realistic prospect of correcting some of the most persistent operational difficulties we have,” he said.

He said artificial intelligence would play major roles across JAMB’s operations, from advertisement and candidate applications to admissions and other service delivery processes.

“From advertisement to candidate application and admission, AI is going to play major roles in our operations.”

Okebukola warned that technological innovation would only promote inclusion when deliberately designed to accommodate persons with disabilities.

“Artificial intelligence does not benefit persons with disabilities by accident. It benefits them only where it is designed and deliberate.”

He noted that JEOG had supported more than 4,200 candidates with disabilities through free transportation, accommodation, assistive devices and other interventions that enabled them to participate in the UTME.

Commending Okebukola, Prof. Oloyede described both books as enduring scholarly contributions capable of enriching higher education discourse and supporting reforms across Nigeria’s education sector.

“I believe what you have done has made significant contributions to the development of this great nation and, by extension, humanity at large.”

The outgoing JAMB Registrar also lauded JEOG’s contributions over the years and expressed confidence that the conference would help shape the group’s future direction.

“I believe this conference will bring into focus many things you have done and what JAMB should do to make sure that we go to the next stage.”

Prof. Asabe Kabir Usman of Usmanu Danfodiyo University reviewed “A Peep into the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria”, describing it as a compelling case for innovation-driven reforms in tertiary education.

“The greatest strength of this book lies in its refusal of pessimism by insisting that innovation and visionary leadership can transform Nigerian education into a globally competitive enterprise.”

She said the publication also argues that expanding access must extend beyond admission to ensuring students successfully complete their academic programmes.

“The democratization of education must go beyond admission to ensuring that students, irrespective of gender, social class, disability or geographical location, are provided with opportunities to thrive and complete their academic programmes,” he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Eno Grace Nta, reviewed “Early Start, Great Finish: Survival and Success Manual for Underage Nigerian University Students”.

She said universities must place greater emphasis on protecting exceptionally gifted underage students after they gain admission.

“Once an underage student steps onto any university campus, their survival, protection and mental well-being are the direct legal responsibilities of the institution,” she said.

Nta said the publication redirects attention from admission age controversies to the responsibilities institutions owe underage students after enrolment.

“The book shifts the conversation from the legal debate about whether underage students should be admitted to establishing a firm, non-negotiable directive once they are admitted.”

Speaking on behalf of the contributors, Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun, Professor of Environmental Law, said the commemorative volume reflects scholars’ shared commitment to advancing reforms in Nigeria’s higher education system.

The conference also featured recognition and excellence awards for distinguished education stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the newly appointed JAMB Registrar, serving and former vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors among others.

Persecondnews reports that JAMB also honoured outstanding staff, 10 institutions admitting the highest number of candidates with disabilities in the 2025 admission exercise and the three highest-scoring candidates with disabilities in the 2025 UTME.