ABUJA — September 9, 2026: The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has donated essential sun-protection and self-care items to children with albinism, reaffirming its commitment to removing barriers that prevent children with disabilities from enjoying equal access to quality and inclusive education.
The items were presented on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, during a courtesy visit by the Women and Girls with Albinism Network (WGWAN), parents and children with albinism to the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja.
The intervention underscores the importance of providing practical support to learners whose specific needs can affect their participation and experience within the education system.
‘Every Child Has a Right to Education’
Speaking during the engagement, Gufwan reaffirmed that inclusive education is a fundamental right and stressed that children with disabilities should not be denied educational opportunities because of their individual conditions.
He said the Commission was committed to identifying and dismantling barriers that prevent children with disabilities from learning and participating fully in society.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child with a disability has access to education. There is always ability in disability, and no child should be left behind because of their condition.”
Gufwan also encouraged children with albinism to remain focused on their education and assured them that the Commission would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving their inclusion and participation.
NCPWD Donates Sunscreen, Hats and UV-Protective Sleeves
The donation is particularly significant for children with albinism, who may require sun-protection measures as part of their daily lives and participation in school and other activities.
The items presented by the Executive Secretary included:
- Five cartons of sunscreen
- 40 wide-brim hats
- 40 pairs of UV-protective sleeves
The intervention is expected to provide practical protection while supporting the broader objective of ensuring that children with albinism can participate more comfortably and safely in educational environments.
WGWAN Seeks Stronger Partnership on Inclusive Education
Speaking on behalf of WGWAN, its Executive Director, Miss Constance Onyemaechi, said the delegation’s visit was aimed at establishing a stronger strategic partnership with NCPWD to advance inclusive education for children with albinism.
Onyemaechi highlighted the organisation’s ongoing project in Kurudu Community, FCT, which focuses on strengthening community-based inclusive education for neurodivergent children and children with albinism.
She also appealed to the Commission to support a proposed capacity-building workshop for teachers and school administrators.
According to her, the workshop would provide educators with practical knowledge and skills to better understand and support learners with diverse needs.
“Every child deserves a learning environment where they are understood, respected, supported, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
‘Assistive Support Can Determine Whether a Child Participates’
The Head of the Assistive Devices and Technology Unit at NCPWD, Dr. Ismail Idris, also stressed the importance of assistive devices and other forms of appropriate support in promoting educational inclusion.
Idris noted that without the necessary support, many learners with disabilities could be excluded from full participation in the classroom, even where they have the ability and desire to learn.
He further acknowledged the contribution of the ECOWAS Commission, whose donation of assistive devices has enabled NCPWD to distribute resources to persons with disabilities according to identified needs.
Beyond Donations: The Bigger Inclusion Question
While the donation provides immediate and practical support, the engagement also highlights a broader issue confronting Nigeria’s education system: inclusive education cannot be achieved through donations alone.
Children with disabilities need accessible schools, trained teachers, appropriate learning materials, assistive technology, reasonable accommodation, accessible sanitation facilities and an education system that recognises and responds to individual needs.
For children with albinism, inclusion may also require measures that address their specific environmental and educational needs, including appropriate sun protection.
The NCPWD and WGWAN therefore expressed their determination to strengthen collaboration and make inclusive education a practical reality for persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
Implementing the Disability Act
The Commission reiterated that partnerships with Civil Society Organisations and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities remain essential to fulfilling the objectives of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The Act provides a framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their participation and inclusion in areas including education, healthcare and social life.
The NCPWD said collaboration with organisations such as WGWAN would remain critical in translating the principles of the law into tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
The Abuja engagement therefore represents more than the presentation of sunscreen, hats and protective sleeves. It is a reminder that true inclusion requires identifying the barriers faced by individual learners and providing the support they need to participate, learn and thrive.
For children with albinism and other learners with disabilities, the message is clear: education should not be a privilege reserved for those without barriers; it should be an accessible right for every child.
