Gombe, January 13, 2026
Gombe State has recorded another remarkable milestone in its journey toward disability inclusion with the official handover of the Centre for Special Education, London Mai Dorawa, for comprehensive renovation works—an intervention widely described as a game-changer for inclusive education in the North-East.
The historic handover ceremony was facilitated by the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (GSCPWD) in strategic collaboration with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the Gombe State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other key stakeholders in the education and disability sectors.
Funded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the renovation project represents a significant investment in advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for persons with disabilities in Gombe State and beyond. Stakeholders at the event described the intervention as timely, strategic, and people-centred, particularly given the central role the institution plays in the education of learners with sensory disabilities.
The Centre for Special Education, London Mai Dorawa, is the only specialised school in Gombe State dedicated to the education of blind and deaf pupils and students. It currently caters to over 600 learners with disabilities drawn not only from Gombe State but also from other states across the North-East region. Over the years, however, the institution has battled severe infrastructural decay—ranging from dilapidated hostels and classrooms to unsafe learning environments—conditions that have negatively impacted learning outcomes, safety, and the general wellbeing of both students and staff.
In response to these challenges, and under the visionary and inclusive leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Centre was placed under the direct supervision of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities. This policy shift has been widely applauded by disability rights advocates as a strategic move that ensures focused attention, inclusive management, accountability, and sustainable development for disability-focused institutions across the state.
According to officials, the renovation works will cover a full rehabilitation of hostels, classrooms, staff quarters, perimeter fencing, landscaping, and a complete overhaul of the entire school environment. The project is designed to create a safe, accessible, and enabling learning atmosphere that meets acceptable standards for inclusive education and supports the unique needs of learners with disabilities.
Observers note that this intervention further cements the reputation of the Inuwa Yahaya administration as one that prioritises social inclusion and leaves no one behind. Since the establishment of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities in 2024, the state government has consistently demonstrated strong political will toward promoting the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons with disabilities across education, employment, infrastructure, and social development sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the disability community in the state, stakeholders expressed profound appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his inclusive approach to governance, sustained support for disability-focused initiatives, and commitment to empowering persons with disabilities to live productive, independent, and dignified lives.
Commendation was also extended to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for funding what has been described as one of the most impactful disability-focused projects in the region. Advocates hailed the commission’s leadership and responsiveness, noting that the renovation of the Centre for Special Education stands as a powerful example of how development interventions can be intentionally inclusive.
As renovation work commences, expectations are high that the upgraded facility will not only restore dignity to learning but also set a new benchmark for inclusive education infrastructure in the North-East. Stakeholders have expressed optimism that this project will open the door to deeper collaboration, increased investment, and sustained commitment to disability-inclusive development in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
For many families and learners who rely on the Centre for Special Education, London Mai Dorawa, the project signals renewed hope—proof that when governance is inclusive, development truly reaches everyone.
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