MATTHEW ASHIKE ORIM

To train and retrain special education teachers, school leaders, and government officials at all levels, equipping them with current trends and evidence-based practices to promote effective and inclusive education for all learners. To support students with diverse learning needs and disabilities in achieving their full potential academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally by using evidence-based teaching strategies, adaptive technologies, and inclusive frameworks like MTSS. To foster a love of learning, helping students build strong literacy skills and habits through personalized, flexible, and student-centered approaches. To work closely with families, educators, and communities, while engaging in ongoing professional development, to apply global best practices in inclusive education and special education. To assess and monitor students’ progress comprehensively using modern tools, providing targeted, evidence-based interventions that address their unique strengths and challenges. To contribute to the field of special education through research, participation in academic forums, and sharing insights on effective teaching practices for students with disabilities. To take on leadership and advocacy roles that promote equity, inclusion, and access to quality education for all learners.

• Development and Standardization of Tests Battery for Identifying Gifted and Talented Children in Nigeria, The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Education, 2021, Research Assistant
• Post-Covid 19 and Coping Strategies of Persons with Disabilities in South-South Region, Nigeria, Ford Foundation through Africa Polling Institute, 2022, Research Assistant

• Date of Birth: 9TH SEPTEMBER, 1991
• Nationality: NIGERIAN

• First Class Honors and Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, 2014
• Best Graduating Student, Department of Special Education, 2014

• Adeleke, P.O., Odey, J.O., Orim S. O., Apie, M.A., Ewa, J.A., Osaji N. N., Igbineweka, P.O., Olayi, J. E., Ahueansebhor, E., Orim, M.A., Sanda, F.A., Ama-Abasi, R.D., Ani, A.U., Okpon, S. E., Utenghe-Obong, E. N., Olofu, P.A., Adapted Physical Exercise as Therapy in Managing Obesity among Persons with Down Syndrome, International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 2025, 14, 117-125
• Ogabor, J. O., Apie, M. A., Mohammed, S., Osaji, N. N., Ahueansebhor, E., Odok, E. A., Adie, E. B., Odok, A. O., Ntino, M. O., Adie, B. U., Okri, J. A., Ukpata, C. O., Omang, T. N., Opoh, F. A., Orim, M. O., Udie, L. I., Aniah, S. A., Psychological Variables as Correlate of Special Olympic Sports Participation among Persons with Intellectual Disability in Lagos State, Nigeria, Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2025, 13, 1, 12–19, https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2025.13.01.2
• Orim, M.A., Vojtec, R., Assam, A.E., A clinical trial of a reading intervention program for struggling readers from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences, 2023, 19, 3, 261-271, https://dxdoi.org/10.4314/jcas.v19i3.6
• Orim, S.O., Olufemi, T.A., Orim, M.A., Digital divide: A threat to digitalization of teaching-learning process for students with disabilities in Nigerian Universities, The digital, 2023, www.icdigital.org.za
• Ikong, M.A., Assam A.E., Orim, M.A., Assessment of changes in educational policies and practices for persons with disabilities: Synthesis of pre and post Covid-19 era in Cross River State, The Exceptional Child, 2023, 24, 1, 153-162
• Orim, M.A., Assam, A.E., Ikong, M.A., Assessment of parental stress in the management of learners with intellectual disability in Cross River State, Journal of Special Education, in press
• Orim, M.A., Assam, Diagnostic masking of hearing defects in intellectual disability: Implication for complementary audio-visual instructional support in Oyo State, Nigeria, Journal of Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), 2022, 1, 1, 31-40
• Orim, M.A., et al., Cognitive behavioral therapy as treatment intervention for aggressive behaviors in clients with intellectual disability and concomitant mental health conditions, Journal of Education Health Promotion, 2022, 20, 1-8
• Samuel O. O., Orim, M.A., David, A.A., James, E.O., James, A.E., Essien, E.E., Cecilia, K.E., Martin, A.O., Innocent, U.I., Sylvester, A.U., Nsagha, N.O., Raymond, O.O., Felicia, A.U., Assessment of School Assessors’ Knowledge and Competence on Diagnostic Overshadowing for Appropriate Placement of Children with Intellectual Disability in Cross River State, Nigeria, Journal of Intellectual Disability-Diagnosis and Treatment, 2022, 10, 145-153
• Odey, F.A., Orim, M.A., Provision of quality school facilities, policies and practice in public special schools in Cross River State, Special Needs Education, 2022, 5, 82-92
• Orim, S.O., Dada, A.O., Orim, M.A., Igba, I.U., Ogar, R.O., Influence of teachers’ variables on utilization of instructional accommodation in teaching learners with dysgraphia in Cross River State, International Journal of Educational Benchmark, 2021, 20, 1, 1-12
• Okwudire, A.N., Orim, M.A., Excessive scholastic education: Shifting focus to developing economic capacity through financial education among 21st century persons with disabilities in Imo State, Nigeria, Journal of Nigerian Academy of Education, 2019, 15, 2, 131-145
• Okwudire, A.N., Orim, M.A., Early intervention as factor for enhancing developmental competences among children with intellectual disability in Imo, Nigeria, The Exceptional Child, 2018, 21, 1, 152-165
• Orim, M. A., Oyundoyin, J. O., Menstrual hygiene management, sexual behaviours and personal safety skills as factors of sociosexual functioning among female adolescents with intellectual disability in Calabar, Nigeria, Journal of Special Education, 2018, 16, 1, 36-48
• Orim, S., Orim & Orim, M. A., Strategies for improving institutional security for special education in Nigeria, Worldwide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2018, 4, 3, 128-132
• Orim, S., Orim, M. A., Udie, L. I., Challenges of research on persons with disabilities in Nigerian universities, Worldwide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2018, 4, 7, 67-72
• F. Uko, Orim, M. A., Parents as partners in the provision of quality educational services for primary school pupils with hearing impairment in Akwaibom State, Nigeria, International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). ICERI2018 proceedings, 2018, 2203-2211, 978-84-09-059489-5, 10.21124/iceri.2018.0149
• Orim, M.A., Orim, S. O., Contextual and dispositional factors of information and communication technologies utilization among teachers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nigeria, International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). EDULEARN18 proceedings, 2018, 2429-2435, 978-84-09-059489-5, 10.21125/edulearn.2018.0662
• Orim, S. O., Regec, V., Orim, M. A., Sex education as correlates of sociosexual functioning among female adolescents with intellectual disability, International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). EDULEARN18 proceedings, 2018, 1553-1559, 978-84-09-02709-5, 10.21125/edulearn.2018.0473
• Orim, S. O., Orim, M. A., Forensic psychotherapies for curbing offending behaviors among clients with intellectual disabilities in Nigerian rehabilitation centers, E-pedagogium, 2018, 11, 86-95
• Orim, M.A., Anyadiewu, C., Achieving sustainable inclusive education for children with special needs: The role of collaborative partnership among teachers and parents in Owerri, Nigeria, The Special Educator, 2018, 17, 1, 104-199
• Orim, M. A., Omerekpe, G. N., Ibeabuchi, G. I., Integrated funding as a strategy for providing sustainable education of persons with special needs in Calabar Education Zone, Cross River State, The Special Educator, 2018, 17, 1, 120-130
• Orim, M. O., Okwudire, A.N., Inclusive healthcare services as a strategy for promoting healthy living of persons with disability in Calabar, Nigeria, The Exceptional Child, 2017, 2, 19, 126-137
• Opara, U. E., Orim, M. A., Orji O. C., Parental sociodemographic variables as correlates of education of a girl child with disability in Imo State, The Exceptional Child, 2017, 2, 19, 263-274
• Okwudire, A. N., Orim, M. A., Collaborative partnership as correlates of evidence-based practice in comprehensive diagnostic assessment process of children with autism spectrum disorders in Nigeria, Proceedings of Multidisciplinary Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning, 2016, 131-138, 978-80-88085-11-9
• Iheke, C.B., Orim, M.A., Innocent Ushie Igba, Investigation into external factors militating against integration of ICT into classroom instructional practices for children with special needs in Calabar, Nigeria, Education for Today, 2016, 1, 12, 86-92
• Orim, S. O., Henry, W.U., Orim, M. A., Assessment of socio-cultural factors militating against inclusive education of children with cerebral palsy, Education Today, 2015, 10, 52-59
• Ntukidem, E. P., Dada, O.A., Orim, M.A., Curriculum adaptation in enhancing quality education for children with intellectual disabilities: Assessment of teachers’ knowledge and strategies, The Exceptional Child, 2015, 1, 17, 114-122
• Orim, S.O., Orim, M. A., Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus disease: Implication for inclusive healthcare services in Nigeria, African Journal of Vocational Education, 2015, 1, 5
• Ntukidem, E.P., Okwudire, A., Orim, M.A., Teacher-based challenges militating against ICT-enhanced classroom instruction for children with disabilities in Calabar, Nigeria, The Exceptional Child, 2015, 1, 18, 94-103
• Obadike, I. S., Egaga, P. I., Orim, M. A., Sociological variables as correlate of emotional wellbeing of children with hearing impairment in Onitsha, Nigeria, Special Needs Education, 2015, 1, 1, 131-137

• 33rd Annual National Conference of the National Association for Exceptional Children, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, 2023-08-08, 2023-08-11
• 1st International Conference on Special Needs Education, Otunba Subomi Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 2023-02-14, 2023-02-17
• 32nd Annual National Conference & Workshop of the National Association for Exceptional Children, St Joseph’s Center for the Visually Handicapped, Obudu, Cross River State, 2022-08-08, 2022-08-12
• 2nd Annual Conference of Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), University of Calabar, Cross River State, 2021-07-27, 2021-07-31
• 6th Annual International Conference of the Department of Industrial Technology Education, University of Uyo, 2021
• 28th Annual National Association for Exceptional Children Conference and Workshop, August, 2018
• Multidisciplinary Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning, Czech Republic, Prague, 2016-12-09, 2016-12-10
• 26th Annual National Association for Exceptional Children Conference and Workshop, August, 2016
• Faculty of Education Annual Conference of Education for Today, September, 2014

• Professor Oluseyi Dada Akintola, Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria, Seyidada23@gmail.com, +2348033574471
• Professor Kelechi Lazarus, Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Ku.lazarus@ui.edu.ng, +2348032322859
• Dr O.O. Samuel, Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria, Samuelorim1@gmail.com, +2348055678108