In a passionate call for change, the Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to supporting people living with disabilities, has urged the Federal Government to place the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the forefront of national policy and programme implementation.
The call was made by the Convener of the Foundation, Comrade Kehinde Oshilaja, during a well-attended advocacy event held at Evans Square, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on Wednesday. The event drew over 200 participants from diverse backgrounds, including prominent community leaders, Islamic clerics, and supporters of the disability rights movement.
Comrade Oshilaja emphasised that Nigeria’s current socio-economic policies have not adequately addressed the daily struggles faced by millions of PWDs. He stressed that any government serious about national development must intentionally design and implement inclusive policies that uplift vulnerable populations, especially persons living with disabilities who often face double layers of discrimination and poverty.
“People with disabilities deserve more than just seasonal support. They deserve sustained empowerment, economic opportunities, access to healthcare, and social inclusion,” he said. “We are appealing to the Federal Government to integrate disability welfare into all sectors—education, health, infrastructure, employment, and transport—so that no one is left behind.”
Breaking from the Foundation’s usual approach of distributing palliatives such as food items and cash, this year’s gathering focused more on advocacy and sensitisation. Comrade Oshilaja used the platform to call on both the government and the private sector to do more in supporting PWDs, especially in these challenging economic times.
The Foundation’s convener also made a broader economic appeal by calling on the government to review and reduce the pump price of petrol to N200 per litre. According to him, such a move would go a long way in alleviating the current hardship faced by millions of Nigerians, particularly those living with disabilities and those in low-income communities.
“A reduction in fuel prices is not just an economic decision; it is a humanitarian one. If we want to truly ease the burden of Nigerians, especially the vulnerable, then this is the time to act decisively,” he asserted.
Oshilaja also used the opportunity to commend the moral lessons and spiritual discipline embedded in the recently concluded Ramadan and Lenten seasons. He urged Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliations, to internalise and live out the principles of compassion, empathy, and generosity throughout the year—not just during religious observances.
“Both Muslims and Christians have just gone through periods of deep spiritual reflection. Let us not leave those lessons behind. Let’s continue to care for the less privileged, stand up for the voiceless, and be intentional in making society more inclusive for everyone,” he appealed.
The event was graced by respected dignitaries and community leaders including elder statesman and a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Alhaji Lateef Sodiq; and Islamic cleric Sheik Rahman Jagi, founder of Al-Hudah Society of Nigeria. Their presence underscored the growing recognition of disability inclusion as a critical national issue.
Prince Olusi praised the Foundation for its sustained commitment to the disability community and expressed hope that more civic and political leaders would begin to champion inclusive development. “This Foundation is leading by example, and we must all support such noble efforts,” he said.
The Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation has, over the years, consistently provided support and visibility for people living with disabilities. As economic pressures mount, the Foundation is shifting its focus from short-term relief to long-term advocacy, empowerment, and systemic change—a move that resonates deeply with the growing calls for equity and inclusion across Nigeria.
