The Federal Government has unveiled plans to enrol two million children with disabilities into Nigeria’s education system, as part of a broader push to strengthen inclusive learning nationwide.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the initiative on Wednesday in a post via X, following a high-level meeting with key stakeholders on special needs and equal opportunities.
According to the minister, the meeting included Mohammad Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, and James David Lalu, former pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Alausa said discussions centred on the Renewed Hope National Programme on Inclusive and Accessible Education, a system-wide framework designed to address barriers facing children with disabilities both in and out of school.
“No child should be left behind—inside or outside the classroom,” the minister stated, emphasising the government’s commitment to equitable access to education.
He noted that while a significant number of children with disabilities remain out of school, millions already enrolled still face structural and learning challenges, including inaccessible infrastructure and limited specialised teaching support.
“The reality is clear: while many children with disabilities remain out of school, millions more are already in our classrooms but still face significant barriers—from inaccessible infrastructure to limited specialised teaching support. This must change—and it will,” he said.
Under the programme, the government is targeting the enrolment of two million children with disabilities, alongside plans to retrofit 10,000 public schools to improve accessibility and train 100,000 teachers in inclusive pedagogy.
The initiative also includes expanding access to assistive technologies and specialised learning materials aimed at improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
Alausa said the next phase will involve convening an expanded meeting with heads of agencies and directors within the Federal Ministry of Education to align on policy direction and accelerate implementation.
He added that the programme is being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the broader objective is to build an education system that accommodates all learners regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.
“This is about more than policy—it’s about dignity, equity, and unlocking the potential of every Nigerian child,” he said.
