The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has called for the implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education across all 36 states in Nigeria.
The commission made the call during a National Inclusive Education Policy Workshop held on July 22, 2025, at the Federal Ministry of Education Headquarters in Abuja.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Working Committee on Inclusive Education, was themed “Strengthening Inclusive Education for Equitable Learning in Nigeria.”
The event focused on the revision and implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education, with emphasis on domesticating the policy across all states in the country.
Dr Adebukola Adebayo, Technical Assistant to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, described the workshop as a crucial platform for advocacy.
“The workshop is a crucial platform for Advocacy for Inclusive Education in Nigeria, and the Committee and Stakeholders have the opportunity to align perspectives, identify challenges and develop coordinated strategies for a more inclusive system in Nigeria,” Adebayo said.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the workshop marked a pivotal moment in efforts to mainstream inclusive education in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
“The Workshop marks a pivotal moment in our collective effort to mainstream inclusive education in the heart of Nigeria’s educational landscape. It reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Nigeria, regardless of disability, gender, background or circumstances, is given an equal opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” Ahmad said.
The minister emphasised that inclusive education goes beyond policy implementation to creating an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.
Mr Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, a committee member of the National Policy on Inclusive Education in Nigeria, urged all government agencies, stakeholders and partners to develop strategic action plans to increase awareness.
He said such plans would support the commission’s efforts toward creating inclusive education in both private and public schools across Nigeria.
The workshop aligns with Sustainable Development Goal four, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Several development partners contributed to the success of the workshop, including Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria, Sightsavers Nigeria, British Council, UNICEF, PLAN International and TAF Africa.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to working with the NCPWD to ensure the inclusive education policy is implemented across Nigeria.