Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria — June 17, 2025
In a bold call for inclusive governance and the empowerment of persons with disabilities, Dr. Catherine Atteng, President of the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), has urged the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, to take urgent steps to domesticate the national disability law and establish a dedicated state commission for persons with disabilities.
Dr. Atteng made this passionate appeal during the 36th Annual Conference of NASET, held at the prestigious Lady Jibowu Hall, Ado-Ekiti. The conference, which drew participants from across Nigeria, had as its theme: “Transformative Solution and Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities.”
Call to Action: Disability Commission and Domestication of Law
While addressing participants and dignitaries at the conference, Dr. Atteng emphasized that although Nigeria signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, many states—including Ekiti—are yet to domesticate the law.
She therefore called on Governor Oyebanji to lead the way by:
✅ Establishing a State Disability Commission to oversee the implementation of inclusive policies.
✅ Domesticating the national disability law to ensure legal protection for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
✅ Creating rehabilitation centers in all three senatorial districts to support skill development and self-reliance among PWDs.
“These steps are not just overdue; they are necessary if we are to unleash the leadership potential of persons with disabilities in Ekiti and across Nigeria,” Dr. Atteng said. “We must move beyond tokenism and embrace full inclusion.”
Praise for Governor Oyebanji’s Inclusive Leadership
Despite the urgent calls, Dr. Atteng took a moment to commend Governor Oyebanji for his progressive stance on disability inclusion. She praised his administration for being friendly and accessible to persons with special needs, as well as for investing in infrastructure that meets their specific needs.
According to her, Oyebanji’s leadership reflects a strong commitment to building an inclusive Ekiti State where no one is left behind. The NASET President noted that the conference’s 2025 theme aligns with the governor’s inclusive agenda, especially the use of assistive technologies and personalized learning approaches that respect individual learner abilities.
Oyebanji Honored with NASET Special Fellowship Award
In recognition of his remarkable efforts in special education and disability inclusion, Governor Oyebanji was conferred with the prestigious NASET Special Fellowship Award at the event. The award, presented during the closing ceremony of the conference, marked a high point of the gathering.
“This award is a token of our appreciation for a leader who has consistently shown that inclusion is not an afterthought but a policy priority,” Dr. Atteng declared.
Also honored was Mr. Akinbode Olaoye, a long-time advocate for disability rights and special education. Visibly elated and moved, Akinbode expressed his deep gratitude to NASET, promising to continue championing the cause of inclusive education in Nigeria.
Akinbode Olaoye: A Decade of Impact and Innovation
Akinbode’s award citation highlighted over a decade of extraordinary leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities—especially those with visual impairments. His contributions include:
📚 Teaching and advocacy for braille literacy.
🧭 Active participation in the adaptation of Nigeria’s 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum for special needs learners.
📝 Ongoing work in the reform of Yoruba braille codes.
📖 Authorship of four academic book chapters.
💼 Winning multimillion-naira research grants.
🌍 Presenting papers at national and international conferences.
His recognition was not only a celebration of his professional excellence but also a reaffirmation of his dedication to a more equitable, inclusive education system in Nigeria.
Renewed Commitment to Inclusive Education
In their joint response, Akinbode and other awardees reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the ideals of inclusive education and the mission of NASET. They vowed to continue advocating for educational policies and practices that ensure no learner is left behind—regardless of ability or disability.
The 36th NASET Conference ended on a high note, with a renewed call for state governments to act decisively in mainstreaming disability inclusion and ensuring that education truly becomes a right—not a privilege—for all.
As Ekiti State reflects on the weight of this moment, many are hopeful that the government will seize the opportunity to make history by becoming a model of disability inclusion in Nigeria, beginning with the full domestication of the disability law and the establishment of a dedicated commission to support persons with special needs.
