Uche Olivia, a registered nurse with severe vision impairment, has been denied requested accommodations during an entrance exam at the Federal Neuropsychiatric School of Post-Basic Mental Health Nursing in Enugu.
Olivia was diagnosed with optic nerve atrophy in October 2024.
She applied for further training in mental health nursing.
She requested large-print question papers, a reader and extra time, as allowed under Nigerian law.
She arrived at the exam venue at 8 a.m.
Accreditation started two hours later.
The exam began around 5 p.m.
During the test, Olivia asked for help.
An examiner reportedly said: “If you knew you were not able to read, why did you come to school or apply?”
She showed medical documents to the provost.
The provost replied: “Answer the ones you can see, leave the ones you cannot.”
The school has not responded to requests for comment.
Disability advocate Yinka Olaito called the treatment a loss of dignity for visually impaired Nigerians.
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) described it as ignorance in a federal institution.
Leaders from the association demanded accountability.
The 1999 Constitution and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 require reasonable accommodations, including large-print papers, scribes and extra time.
Advocates say the denial violates these laws.
The case has drawn calls for reform in educational access for people with disabilities.
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