People involved in healthcare and education in Nigeria have voiced worries about insufficient resources and support structures for kids who have special needs.
They expressed concern over the significant shortfall in delivering essential infrastructure and services needed by these at-risk children within the nation.
At a press conference organized by OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach to unveil their ambitious project aimed at establishing a cutting-edge center for children with special needs, advocacy groups pressed the government to offer policy backing, dedicate funds, and foster conditions conducive to comprehensive inclusion.
Mrs Olufunke Adeloye, who serves as the Chief Responsibility Officer at OAKonsult, expressed concern over the lack of adequate facilities for children with special needs in Nigeria. She noted that the nation hasn’t completely put into practice the necessary policies aimed at supporting these children.
Adeloye, who doubles as the project coordinator for the proposed new facility, expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s ratification of international inclusion policies, the country has failed to fully implement them, leaving children with special needs without sufficient support.
“We have policies on inclusion in health, education, and society, but the gap is in implementation. We have the laws; we have the policies, but what we lack is the proper infrastructure and the commitment to carry these policies through,” she stated.
In the healthcare sector, Adeloye pointed out the appalling state of hospitals across Nigeria, particularly in teaching hospitals, where essential supplies such as water are often unavailable.
“In some hospitals, families are now expected to bring their own water when a mother is about to give birth. This is a clear indicator of neglect within the healthcare system. How can we even begin to talk about special needs care when the most basic resources are missing? The absence of adequate facilities to cater to the needs of children with disabilities, particularly in terms of proper healthcare, is a barrier to inclusive development,” she lamented.
Adeloye bemoaned the fact that many schools across the country remain poorly equipped to cater to the needs of children with disabilities, whether physical, mental, or developmental.
“Many educational institutions lack basic provisions such as wheelchair ramps, specialised teachers, and therapy services. How can a child with mobility issues attend school if there are no ramps or elevators? It is unconscionable that many schools still do not have the necessary facilities to accommodate children in wheelchairs,” she noted.
The disability advocate, however, stressed that children living with disabilities need more than just physical accommodations; they require an inclusive environment where their emotional, psychological, and social needs are met.
Regarding the suggested new establishment named OAK Centre Prime, Adeloye mentioned that this advanced center aims to offer top-notch care, rehabilitation, and educational services for people with disabilities.
As she explains, this suggested facility, which would be the first of its type in Nigeria, aims to offer an all-encompassing support network for kids with special requirements, covering areas such as health services, schooling, and temporary relief for their families.
She mentioned that the advanced facility, planned to start construction on April 22, 2025, will be situated on a 35-acre plot in Oolo, which is close to Ogbomoso in Oyo State.
Adeloye disclosed that OAK Centre Prime will provide an extensive array of services, featuring living spaces for kids, teenagers, employees, and visitors; a specialized health care center to cater to medical requirements; a day-care facility along with specific therapeutic areas; plus recreational and treatment choices like a water park, botanical gardens, and a nature reserve.
There will additionally include OAK Farms, a chapel, a sports and recreational center, specialized equipment such as wheelchairs and communication devices, emotional support, along with professional advisory services for families.
"The center aims to deliver personalized care, state-of-the-art therapeutic and diagnostic services, along with comprehensive support systems tailored for children and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 0-25. We aspire to present an option for those families who presently seek high-quality disability care overseas," she explained.
Adeloye remains hopeful that the center will continue to thrive by securing funds from families able to contribute, obtaining grants from global organizations, and leveraging voluntary services from experts.
She added, "This initiative isn’t merely a human endeavor; it’s something God intends to accomplish. Once God sets his mind to an undertaking, nothing can hinder it."
Our cross-functional group comprising caregivers, educators, and healthcare experts will receive training based on international best practices to guarantee top-notch care.
Additionally, the Asipa of Odi-Olowo in the Mushin Kingdom, Prince Deji Irawo, highlighted the significance of cooperation in promoting the rights and support for children with special needs.
He urged government agencies, donors, experts, social service providers, families, and the expatriate community to come together in backing the creation and ongoing support of the new facility.
Irawo, who additionally holds a position as an advisor at OAKonsult, emphasized the vital part that customary leaders should take in safeguarding the well-being of children with special requirements.
He emphasized the importance of traditional leaders playing an active role in advocating, increasing public understanding, and marshalling both domestic and global resources to tackle the issues confronting these children.
The traditional leader also emphasized that due to their significant influence and broad esteem within their communities, traditional rulers are ideally positioned to foster change and establish a setting wherein children with special needs get the necessary support, care, and chances they require.
It's both an honor and a privilege for me to be involved in this initiative and to shift the narrative in Nigeria, with the belief that the nation will improve, particularly through the efforts of the royal institute.
“Irawo emphasized that the children are special, and it’s important for everyone to understand and acknowledge this fact about them.”
Founded in 2021 and operating in Nigeria and the UK, OAKonsult has already begun addressing gaps in disability care across Nigeria.
The organisation aims to offer specialised education, skill-building programmes, and advocacy to raise awareness and improve the quality of life for those with disabilities.
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