Comrade Adewale Elisha Adeyanju, a disability and human rights advocate, celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday, April 11, 2025, with a symposium focused on disability inclusion in Nigeria.
Held at the International Press Centre (IPC) in Ogba, Lagos, the event brought together disability rights advocates, educators, and stakeholders to discuss the theme: “Disability and Development in Nigeria: Past, Present, and the Post-Disability Act (2018) Era – What the Future Holds.”
Comrade Adeyanju, who lost his hearing at the age of seven, shared reflections on his journey of more than three decades as an advocate, writer, publisher, and mentor.
“Getting to the sixth floor is not easy. It’s by the grace of God,” he said.
“I have dedicated a large part of my life to fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities. The struggle started when I was a child who couldn’t understand why I was being treated differently just because I was deaf.”
The event highlighted Adeyanju’s contribution to the disability movement, from his early days as a student activist to his years as a classroom teacher at M.D. Special School, Omole, where he also served as the school’s Public Relations Officer.
He recalled the challenges faced by parents who could not afford hearing aids or school fees for their children, a situation that motivated his advocacy for better access to education and support for children with disabilities.
In his quest to promote awareness and change public perceptions, Adeyanju launched The Carer, a disability-focused magazine, and later established The Signpost.
Through these publications and his NGO, the National Handicap Carers Association of Nigeria (NAHCAN), he has organized numerous seminars and workshops and partnered with prominent academics and activists to advance disability issues nationwide.
“I could not stomach injustice and discrimination. That’s what led me to advocacy,” he explained. “From writing letters, assisting people in court, to campaigning for the rights of those who have no voice, it has been a life of service.”
Despite the passage of the Disability Act in 2018, Adeyanju expressed disappointment with the slow pace of implementation.
“We had hoped things would get better, but persons with disabilities are still being excluded. We must continue to raise awareness and demand action,” he said.
With experiences from advocacy work in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, Adeyanju believes Nigeria still has a long way to go in achieving true inclusion. However, he remains hopeful.
“I thank God for the little I’ve been able to contribute. The fight is far from over, and I look forward to more years of service,” he concluded.
Also in attendance at the symposium were members of the disability community, friends and family of the celebrant.