Ekiti Inclusion Reforms Draw National Attention at Lagos Conference

Ekiti State’s disability inclusion and special education reforms received national recognition at the 2026 National Inclusion Conference in Lagos, where education experts, policymakers and inclusion advocates highlighted the state’s efforts as a model for advancing opportunities for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

The two-day conference, held at Rugby School, Atlantic City, Lagos, brought together stakeholders from across the education sector under the theme, “Embedding Inclusive Excellence: Supporting Neurodiverse Learners in Every Class.” Discussions focused on practical solutions for integrating persons with disabilities and neurodiverse learners into mainstream education and society.

Presenting the state’s progress, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Funmilayo Agboola, said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji had prioritised inclusion through policies that extend beyond public commitments to measurable outcomes.

According to her, the state has appointed seven persons with disabilities into strategic leadership positions and employed 41 others across state and local government institutions based on competence and merit.

Princess Agboola said the government also embarked on extensive reforms within the special education sector, upgrading public schools with therapy rooms, information technology laboratories and trained specialist personnel to improve learning outcomes for children with special needs.

She noted that the interventions contributed to a significant increase in student performance in national examinations, enabling more learners with disabilities to secure admission into tertiary institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University and Afe Babalola University.

Beyond education, she said the state expanded access to healthcare and social welfare services through initiatives such as Nigeria’s first free public therapy centre for children with severe disabilities and free healthcare services at primary healthcare centres.

The state also implemented a prosthetics programme that provided artificial limbs to 131 beneficiaries, conducted mental health screenings and established a skills acquisition centre that has trained and empowered more than 130 persons in vocational trades.

Princess Agboola further highlighted efforts to promote social participation through sports and community engagement, noting that athletes with disabilities from the state have won gold medals at the National Sports Festival.

She cited the recent launch of Ekiti’s first inclusive basic school in Ikole-Ekiti for neurodivergent learners as another step towards expanding access to quality education.

Calling on other state governments to adopt similar policies, she argued that meaningful inclusion requires deliberate leadership, sustained investment and a commitment to protecting the dignity of every citizen regardless of physical or cognitive ability.

The conference also provided a platform for broader discussions on the future of inclusive education in Nigeria.

The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Ronke Soyombo, expressed concern over what she described as the slow implementation of inclusive education policies across the country.

She urged schools and educators to create equal opportunities for all learners, stressing that neurodiverse children possess talents and abilities that can contribute significantly to national development when properly supported.

Also speaking, Lai Koiki said inclusion should go beyond policy statements and translate into environments where every child is recognised, supported and encouraged to achieve their potential.

She identified teacher preparedness, flexible learning systems, parental involvement and committed leadership as critical factors for building effective and sustainable inclusion frameworks.

The event concluded with presentations from international inclusion experts, including Thomas Keaney and Daniel Sobel, who shared practical approaches for supporting neurodiverse learners in classrooms and wider society.

Their presentations reinforced a central message that echoed throughout the conference: inclusive education succeeds when governments, educators, families and communities work together to remove barriers and create opportunities for every learner to thrive.