Battling with Disability: The Struggles of Children with Special Needs in Nigeria

Aliya Balogun is a 10-year-old girl with special needs who cannot speak. Her family has done everything possible to help her with numerous surgeries and medical consultations. After years of trying without seeing any improvement, they had to accept the reality of her condition and focus on giving her the best possible care.

She was initially enrolled in a private school, but her family soon realised she was being neglected. Despite paying school fees and buying several textbooks, Aliya was often left to one side, unable to read, write, or engage with the lessons. “My dad was just wasting money,” her sibling recalls.

A friend of her mother eventually suggested enrolling her in a public special needs school designed for children with disabilities. At first, her mother was hesitant and broke down in tears at the thought. But with no other option, they decided to give it a try.

Now, Aliya is improving. “The teachers there understand how to teach children like her,” her sibling says. “They know when they are tired and won’t assimilate anything. They know how to give them assignments in a way they can handle.”

In Nigeria, children with disabilities often grow up in environments where they are viewed through the lens of their limitations rather than their potential. Many children with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome encounter significant barriers that prevent them from accessing everyday opportunities, ranging from education and play to healthcare and social interactions. These challenges not only impact the children but also affect entire families, who sometimes feel compelled to keep their children out of public view as they struggle to secure essential services and support.

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide, about 16% of the global population, experience significant disability. In Nigeria, an estimated 19 million people live with disabilities, representing approximately 9.6% of the population. Among these, children are particularly vulnerable. Research indicates that roughly 95.5% of children with disabilities in Nigeria are out of school. This is largely due to the lack of inclusive educational facilities, trained teachers, and broader societal acceptance, which collectively keep these children on the margins and away from opportunities that could help them lead fulfilling lives.

Beyond education, children with disabilities also struggle to access healthcare. Many public hospitals lack specialised paediatric units equipped to handle disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, or Down syndrome. A lack of public funding means many families must rely on expensive private care, which is out of reach for most low-income households. In rural areas, the situation is even more dire, with some families forced to travel long distances just to see a medical specialist.

Ahmad Yunusa shares how he has faced lifelong struggles as a person with a disability in Nigeria. The 43-year-old man has been disabled since birth, knowing firsthand the lifelong struggles faced by people with disabilities. Born in Kano, Ahmed’s journey has been marked by constant challenges, limited access to education, exclusion from employment opportunities, and the daily struggle to navigate a society largely inaccessible to people like him.

As a child, Ahmad dreamed of becoming an engineer, but his physical condition and the lack of disability-friendly schools made it nearly impossible. “Most schools weren’t built for people like me,” he recalls. “Even when I tried, the infrastructure, no ramps, no accessible classrooms, made it difficult to continue.” Eventually, he was forced to drop out, not because of a lack of intelligence or ambition, but because the system failed to accommodate him.

Now, as an adult, Ahmed still battles societal discrimination. Finding employment has been a near-impossible task. “People assume that because I’m in a wheelchair, I can’t be productive. But that’s not true. I just need the opportunity,” he says. He currently survives on a small business selling phone accessories, a trade he was forced into after years of job rejections.

Another Adam, an eight-year-old boy with Down syndrome living in Ikorodu, Lagos, faces daily challenges that go beyond his condition. Like many other children with disabilities, he struggles to access basic experiences that most children take for granted, like attending school, engaging in playtime, and socialising with peers. But for Adam, the greatest barrier is not his disability; it is the way society sees him.

His mother has fought tirelessly to give him a normal childhood, but the stigma surrounding his condition often makes life difficult.

“I’ve been told to take Adam to a traditional healer, as if his condition were a curse on our family,” she explains. “I love my son and want the best for him, but the negative perceptions from others make it so hard. They don’t understand that Adam is just like any other child; he deserves to be loved, cared for, and given a chance to grow.”

His mother recalls how finding a school for Adam was one of the toughest battles. Many schools turned him away, citing a lack of resources or trained teachers to accommodate him. When she finally found a school willing to accept him, the other parents protested, fearing that Adam would be a “distraction” to their children.

“I cried that day,” she says. “It was like they were saying my son didn’t belong anywhere. But he does. Every child deserves to learn, to play, to be part of a community.”

Even in public spaces, Adam and his mother face constant stares and whispers. Some neighbours avoid them, while others offer unsolicited advice, suggesting prayers or herbal remedies. Despite it all, she remains determined to fight for her son’s right to live a full life.

“I just want people to see him for who he is, a smart, loving, and wonderful boy. He may need extra support, but that doesn’t make him any less deserving of kindness and opportunity.”

Similarly, 16-year-old Junior, who has cerebral palsy and lives in the lively neighbourhood of Ajegunle, Lagos, encounters numerous obstacles in his daily life. Despite his keen intelligence and bright personality, Junior finds that he is often unable to access the same opportunities as his peers, such as socialising with friends or pursuing his interests. His condition affects his mobility, making simple activities like walking long distances or using public transportation difficult. Yet, what frustrates him the most is not his physical limitations but the way people treat him.

Reflecting on his experience, Junior says: “People look at me differently because I have cerebral palsy. They assume I can’t do the same things as other boys my age. I want to go to school, I want to play football, but I am often not given the opportunity. I know I can do anything if they just give me a chance.”

Junior’s mother has spent years trying to find a school that would accept him. Most schools either lack the facilities to accommodate children with disabilities or simply refuse to enrol them.

Beyond education, Junior longs for companionship and a sense of belonging. While other boys in his neighbourhood gather to play football in the evenings, he is often left on the sidelines, watching. Some of his peers are friendly and try to include him, but many others assume he cannot keep up.

Ten-year-old Mary, who has Down syndrome, was initially enrolled in school by her parents with the hope that she would learn alongside other children. However, following repeated concerns from teachers about her pace of learning and classmates who were unwilling to include her in activities, her parents eventually withdrew her from the school. Today, Mary spends most of her time indoors, watching children her age walk to school while she remains at home. #

“She cries every morning when she sees her siblings in their school uniforms. We want to provide her with the same opportunities as other children, but no school will accept her, and we cannot afford a specialised institution,” her father says.

One of the main reasons children with disabilities face such challenges is the deeply ingrained stigma associated with disability in Nigeria. Many people still believe disabilities are a form of divine punishment, a result of parental wrongdoing, or a curse placed on a family. These beliefs often lead to rejection, isolation, and mistreatment of children with disabilities, even within their own families.

Oluwatoyin Adetan, an orthopaedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience specialising in treating children with disabilities, provides critical insight into the long-term consequences of excluding these children from essential aspects of life. As a highly respected medical expert, he highlights the numerous challenges that children with disabilities face in Nigeria and the urgent need for societal change.

According to Adetan, individuals living with disabilities, including children, experience significant difficulties in accessing necessities such as healthcare, education, and transportation. In many cases, they must struggle through life without adequate support, facing multiple barriers that hinder their overall well-being. A major contributing factor to their plight is the deep-rooted discrimination and stigmatisation they endure, which stems from cultural beliefs that wrongfully associate disability with bad luck, curses, or even witchcraft. These misconceptions not only alienate children with disabilities but also limit their opportunities for growth, development, and social integration.

He further explains that when children with disabilities are denied access to education and meaningful social interaction, the consequences extend far beyond academic setbacks. Education plays a crucial role in equipping children with the necessary skills to navigate life, fostering both intellectual and emotional growth. Without this exposure, they miss out on the chance to develop essential life skills, which can have lasting negative effects on their future independence and contributions to society.

The lack of engagement in educational and social activities can also lead to neglect and, in some cases, mistreatment. Many children grow up without access to proper medical interventions, therapies, or assistive technologies that could significantly improve their quality of life. Without early and consistent support, they may struggle with mobility, communication, and overall development, making it even more difficult for them to integrate into society as they grow older.

Adetan emphasises that the first step toward meaningful change is awareness. Parents, educators, policymakers, and society at large must work together to challenge harmful stereotypes and create an inclusive environment for children with disabilities. He stresses that disability is not a curse but a medical condition that requires compassion, understanding, and structured support systems. By fostering an inclusive society where children with disabilities receive equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for social participation, we can help them reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

 Tawakalt Adebayo, a child psychologist, highlights the psychological toll on children with disabilities and offers insights on how parents can help.

“The isolation that many of these children face often leads to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. Many children with disabilities develop low self-esteem because they are constantly made to feel different or incapable. Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children do not feel neglected. They should provide their children with emotional support, encourage their potential, and advocate for their inclusion in schools and communities. Instead of shielding them from society, they must help them adapt and thrive,” she says.

Despite these challenges, children with disabilities can achieve great success when provided with the right support. Many notable individuals with disabilities have excelled in various fields, proving that disability does not equate to inability.

One such example is Ade Adepitan, a Nigerian-born British Paralympian and television presenter who, despite having polio as a child, became an accomplished wheelchair basketball player and sports journalist. His story serves as a testament to what children with disabilities can accomplish when given opportunities and encouragement.

Tawakalt emphasises the importance of fostering an inclusive society that empowers children with disabilities to reach their potential. “If parents and communities invest in children with disabilities, they can grow up to be independent, skilled, and successful. Access to assistive technologies, inclusive schools, and vocational training will allow them to contribute meaningfully to society. The mindset that they are burdens must be replaced with the recognition that they can be achievers.”