LAGOS — As Lagos continues its transformation into one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, stakeholders have begun laying the groundwork for what could become a defining social policy framework for the state — a comprehensive Care Policy designed to support children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and the care workforce.
At the heart of the high-level conversation was the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, who actively participated in the Lagos State Care Policy Stakeholder Forum held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the prestigious Capital Club.
Charting a Care-Responsive Future for Lagos
The forum was convened by Caring Africa and the Nigerian Care Coalition in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, alongside other key government and civil society actors. The objective was clear: to commence the strategic development of a comprehensive Lagos State Care Policy.
Under the compelling theme, “Building a Care-Responsive Lagos: Policy, Infrastructure, and Investment for a Growing Megacity,” the gathering brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, and social development experts to rethink how care is structured, funded, and delivered in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Speakers at the event stressed that care work — often undervalued and largely invisible — remains foundational to social and economic stability. From childcare to elder care and disability support, participants agreed that Lagos must treat care not as charity, but as critical social and economic infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth.
Centering Disability in Care Conversations
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal’s presence at the forum underscored LASODA’s commitment to ensuring that disability perspectives are fully integrated into the emerging policy framework. As conversations unfolded, she reinforced the importance of embedding accessibility, inclusion, and rights-based approaches within care systems.
With Lagos’ population expanding rapidly, stakeholders acknowledged that the demand for structured support systems is increasing across demographics. For families caring for persons with disabilities, access to professional services, respite support, and inclusive infrastructure remains a pressing concern.
The LASODA General Manager’s participation signaled the agency’s dedication to strengthening systems that support not only persons with disabilities but also their caregivers — many of whom shoulder significant financial and emotional burdens.
Key Dialogues: From Childcare to Sustainable Financing
The forum featured keynote presentations, in-depth policy dialogues, and thematic breakout sessions addressing core aspects of care development. Participants examined early childhood care systems, strategies for supporting older persons and persons with disabilities, and ways to professionalize and strengthen the care workforce.
Workforce development emerged as a major focal point, with discussions highlighting the need for structured training, fair wages, certification standards, and improved working conditions for caregivers. Experts argued that investing in care workers directly translates to stronger human capital development across the state.
Equally critical were conversations around sustainable financing. Participants explored innovative funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and long-term investment strategies to ensure that the Care Policy, once adopted, is not just aspirational but actionable.
From Dialogue to Action
Beyond discussion, the forum delved into implementation strategies. Stakeholders considered the creation of a costed action plan, pilot interventions to test policy frameworks, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms that would ensure seamless service delivery across government departments.
There was consensus that effective collaboration among ministries, agencies, civil society groups, and private stakeholders will determine the success of the proposed policy.
Observers noted that Lagos, often seen as a pacesetter among Nigerian states, has a unique opportunity to establish a model Care Policy capable of influencing national discourse.
Reinforcing Inclusive Governance
For LASODA, participation in the forum represents more than symbolic engagement. It reflects a broader commitment to mainstream disability inclusion in policy development and governance processes.
By contributing to the foundational stages of the Lagos State Care Policy, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to ensure that persons with disabilities are not treated as an afterthought but as central stakeholders in Lagos’ development agenda.
As the state embarks on drafting and refining the policy, advocates say the real test will lie in implementation — translating dialogue into accessible childcare centres, structured elder support, inclusive disability services, and a well-supported care workforce.
If successfully realized, the Lagos State Care Policy could mark a turning point — positioning care not merely as a social service, but as strategic infrastructure powering a resilient, humane, and inclusive megacity.
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