Lagos, June 10, 2025 – In a move aimed at deepening inclusive education in Lagos State, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting equal learning opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), while seeking stronger collaboration with the Lagos State Government Agency for Mass Education (LAGAME).
Speaking during a strategic engagement session in Lagos, General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, stressed the urgent need to mainstream disability inclusion in educational policies and practices, noting that inclusive education is not only a human right but a pathway to dignity and independence for persons living with disabilities.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that no child or adult with a disability is left behind in Lagos. Education is a fundamental right, and we must create structures that remove barriers to access and participation,” she said.
LASODA revealed plans to collaborate with LAGAME to integrate inclusive learning tools, build capacity for special education instructors, and expand literacy programmes to accommodate various categories of disabilities — including visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal stated that LASODA is advocating for inclusive curriculum design, sign language interpretation, Braille materials, and assistive technologies in classrooms to ensure that learners with special needs are not excluded from mainstream educational systems.
She further highlighted the state government’s increasing budgetary commitment to disability inclusion and urged both public and private sector players to partner with LASODA to make Lagos a model of accessibility and equal opportunity.
Officials from LAGAME, who were present at the meeting, expressed readiness to collaborate with LASODA, noting that the agency is already reviewing its adult literacy programme to accommodate learners with disabilities.
Stakeholders welcomed the move, describing it as a timely step toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The partnership, when fully executed, is expected to improve educational access and outcomes for thousands of PWDs in Lagos State, reinforcing the government’s pledge to build a more inclusive and compassionate society.
