…as Ekiti State Hosts Nigeria’s 36th Annual Special Education Teachers Conference
Ado-Ekiti — In a landmark moment for disability advocacy and inclusive education in Nigeria, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has been lauded as a Champion of Disability Inclusion by the Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). The prestigious recognition came during the Association’s 36th Annual National Conference, which commenced Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The conference, themed “Transformative Solutions and Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities,” drew special education experts, teachers, policymakers, and advocates from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Governor Oyebanji, who was also conferred with the NASET Fellowship Award, was hailed for his trailblazing efforts in embedding disability inclusion into the core of governance in Ekiti State—making the state a shining model for the rest of the country.
Ekiti State: A Model of Inclusivity
Delivering her keynote address, the National President of NASET, Dr. Catherine James Atteng, described Governor Oyebanji as a “voice for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)”, emphasizing that his leadership has set a new benchmark for inclusive governance.
“Ekiti State stands out because it doesn’t just talk inclusion—it lives it,” Dr. Atteng declared to an applauding audience. “The state’s accessibility—both in infrastructure and policy—is unprecedented in Nigeria. In most states, persons with disabilities face countless bureaucratic hurdles, but here in Ekiti, they are made to feel seen, heard, and valued.”
Dr. Atteng praised the Governor’s courage in championing systemic reforms that continue to uplift and empower PWDs, making Ekiti a beacon of hope and a blueprint for national replication.
Sweeping Reforms and Tangible Impact
In a powerful keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Governor Oyebanji reeled out a series of impactful policies and programmes that have transformed the lives of PWDs in Ekiti State.
From healthcare to education, vocational training to economic empowerment, Governor Oyebanji affirmed that disability inclusion is no longer a mere slogan, but a central pillar of his administration.
Among the groundbreaking initiatives highlighted were:
- Establishment of Ekiti’s first-ever Therapy Centre in Ado-Ekiti, offering free therapy sessions, meals, and transport to PWDs.
- Upgrade of the state’s three special schools to meet global standards with cutting-edge equipment and highly trained specialists.
- Preparation support for students with disabilities to sit for national exams such as WAEC and UTME, with several securing admission into Nigerian universities.
- Vocational training, trade certifications, and startup grants for young PWDs seeking independence through entrepreneurship.
- Statewide free healthcare for all PWDs, eliminating one of the major barriers they face in accessing basic health services.
“Our administration has demonstrated that inclusion is not charity—it is justice. We are walking the talk through deliberate policy action and budgetary commitment,” the Governor stated.
Structural Transformation for Long-Term Inclusion
One of the Governor’s strategic masterstrokes was the creation of the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion, alongside the Agency for Disabilities Affairs. Both institutions are backed by the Ekiti State Disability Laws, which were recently passed to institutionalize the rights and welfare of PWDs.
“These structures are not mere offices—they are engines of transformation,” Governor Oyebanji noted. “Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind in the development journey of Ekiti State.”
He further charged participants of the conference to come up with workable, action-oriented policy recommendations, urging them to remember that advancing the rights and dignity of PWDs is a collective responsibility.
First-of-its-Kind Inclusive School to Open in September
In her welcome address, Princess Adetoun Agboola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, expressed deep gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for his unwavering support to the special education sector.
In what she described as “a bold and visionary step,” Agboola announced that Nigeria’s first fully inclusive school will be launched in Ikole-Ekiti this September.
“This school is being established to integrate students with disabilities into the mainstream academic environment, learning side-by-side with their peers,” she said. “This inclusive model is already sparking a surge in enrollment into special schools across the state.”
‘Empathy-Driven Leadership’ – Education Commissioner Applauds
Adding her voice, Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye, Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, paid glowing tribute to Governor Oyebanji’s “empathy-driven leadership”, noting that the synergy across ministries made possible through the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion has reshaped the education sector.
“Governor Oyebanji’s policies are not just changing narratives—they are changing lives,” she said.
Conclusion: A Governor Setting the Pace
As the 36th Annual NASET Conference continues in Ado-Ekiti, the tone has already been set. Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s achievements are not only being celebrated, but they are also inspiring a national movement toward inclusive education and disability rights.
In a country where PWDs often face marginalization and systemic neglect, Ekiti State under Oyebanji stands tall as a trailblazer in inclusion, proving that with the right leadership, every citizen—regardless of ability—can thrive.
By Agbo Christian Obiora
Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine | Disability Rights Advocate
