Special Needs Education in Nigeria: The Absence of a Robust Inclusive Education Plan

In Nigeria, the provision of special education needs can be described as largely unavailable. Available data shows that out of the 1,001 primary schools in Lagos State, only 17 schools currently provide Special Educational Needs (SEN) This excludes 8 specialist schools and schools for children with physical disabilities. The absence of a robust inclusive education plan makes it difficult for parents with special needs kids such as ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and learning difficulties to get a school for them.

Early intervention and educational services, combined with support networks, have led to huge improvements for special needs children in Nigeria. However, parents still point to a lack of government assistance and say COVID lockdowns have brought new challenges. For example, Bloomrite Learning Support in Nigeria provides early intervention and educational services for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, learning differences and other developmental conditions. However, such services are not widely available throughout the country.

The absence of a robust inclusive education plan in Nigeria is further weakened by financing issues. Inclusive education has been defined in Nigeria since 2017 as "the process of addressing all barriers and providing access to quality education to meet the diverse needs of all learners in the same learning environment”. However, policy progress has been weakened by financing issues.

In conclusion, there is a need for a robust inclusive education plan in Nigeria to provide access to quality education for all learners, including those with special needs. This will require addressing barriers and providing adequate financing to support the implementation of inclusive education policies. By doing so, Nigeria can ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.