Over 500 persons with disabilities on Monday shut down the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, demanding the immediate reopening of the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, which has been closed for nearly two years without explanation.
The protesters, carrying placards and a large banner reading “Farmcraft Centre for the Blind,” blockaded major access roads leading to the airport, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill and causing gridlock that stretched for kilometres.
The crowd included individuals using wheelchairs, crutches, and white canes, as well as visually impaired protesters guided by their peers, with more participants reportedly arriving from across Lagos to join the demonstration.
They said their action was aimed at drawing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attention to the plight of disabled students whose education has been on hold since the unexplained closure of the school in Isheri, Lagos.
Mr. Dolor, a protest leader, said they had exhausted all peaceful means of seeking redress before resorting to the demonstration.
“We have written letters, sent delegations, and made appeals to both state and federal authorities, but no one has given us a single response,” Dolor said.
“You can see the blind and disabled people here; they are angry. Many Nigerians see them as beggars, but this school gave them dignity. Now it’s been shut down without explanation for almost two years.”
“This is why we are here,” Dolor explained. “We know not every message reaches the President, but with the whole airport affected, this one will surely get to him.”
The protesters demanded that the government provide a concrete timeline for reopening the school,which has served as a lifeline for many students with disabilities by providing them with skills, education, and dignity.
They also called for an official explanation for the prolonged closure of the institution.
As evening approached, chants of “We want our school back!” echoed through the blocked roadways, with protesters describing their action as a fight for dignity, opportunity, and the right to live without being pushed to the margins of society.
The demonstrators vowed to remain at the airport until they received concrete and official assurance from the government on when the school would reopen.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria confirmed the disruption in a travel advisory issued by its spokesperson, Obiageli Orah.
“Due to an ongoing protest by the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, traffic congestion is currently impacting access roads to the airport,” the statement read.
FAAN urged commuters to seek alternative routes and advised passengers to confirm their flight schedules with airlines before heading to the airport.
The authority apologised for the inconvenience and appealed for patience, assuring that it was working with relevant authorities to restore normalcy.
The demonstration highlighted the frustration of Nigeria’s disability community over the government’s silence on the closure of an institution that many consider crucial for empowering persons with disabilities through education and skills acquisition.