Legal Recognition Of Disability Rights In Africa Is Not Enough To Guarantee PWDs Full Inclusion In Electoral Process - Stakeholders

INEC Chairmen, Prof Joash Amupitan        

A clarion call has been made to electoral policy makers across Africa to go beyond the legal recognition of disability rights, and build the capacity needed to implement those rights in order to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process on the continent.

The call was made at a webinar organised by the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa (CDIA) to commemorate the International Day of Democracy.

According to a press release from CDIA, made available to Lagos Today Extra!, The virtual event brought together disability advocates and electoral stakeholders from Nigeria and Kenya to examine barriers confronting persons with disabilities throughout the electoral cycle.

Stakeholders noted that Nigeria, for instance,  has made progress in recognising the electoral rights of persons with disabilities, but gaps in data, accessibility, funding and implementation continue to limit their full participation in the democratic process.

Speaking at the event, Mr Yisa Usman said legal recognition of disability rights would have limited impact if electoral institutions lacked the capacity to implement those rights. He identified disability-disaggregated data, policy development, budgeting, procurement, training, deployment of personnel and materials, accessibility, participation and accountability as key elements required to translate legal provisions into meaningful participation.

 

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Nigeria's legal framework has recently expanded protections for voters with disabilities. Under the Electoral Act 2026, disability status, disaggregated by type of disability, is to be included in the National Register of Voters. The law also provides for reasonable measures to assist voters with disabilities, including Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices and sign-language interpretation.

However, participants at the event said legal provisions alone would not guarantee accessibility at polling units without adequate planning and resources. The issue of reliable disability data was highlighted as a particular challenge. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently reported that 137,487 persons with disabilities had been captured in registration data before its Automated Fingerprint Identification System exercise.

Stakeholders cautioned that the figure should not be interpreted as the total number of registered voters with disabilities in Nigeria. They said accurate, disability-disaggregated data was necessary to determine the type and quantity of assistance required and where such support should be deployed. They further argued that such data would have greater operational value if it directly informed electoral budgets, procurement, training and logistics.

Sharing his experience from the recent Osun State governorship election, Lanre Olakusibe, a person with a mobility challenge, acknowledged improvements in electoral inclusion but identified continuing challenges relating to public awareness, physical accessibility, transportation, assistive materials and the preparedness of polling officials.

The discussions also focused on the involvement of persons with disabilities in electoral planning. Participants said organisations representing persons with disabilities should be involved not only in consultations but also in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They argued that such organisations often have practical knowledge of barriers that may not be readily identified by electoral officials during institutional planning.

Beyond voting, stakeholders raised concerns about the participation of persons with disabilities as candidates for political office. The cost of political party nomination and application forms was identified as one potential barrier to political participation. Participants called for consideration of measures that could reduce or waive such costs for persons with disabilities.

The webinar also featured the experience of Kenya, with Karen Muruiki highlighting challenges facing disability inclusion in that country's
electoral process. Participants said the experiences of Nigeria and Kenya reflected a broader, common  issue across Africa: the need to strengthen the capacity of electoral institutions to turn legal protections for persons with disabilities into practical participation.

Among the measures proposed were accessibility-readiness checklists for polling units, practical disability-competence training for frontline electoral officials, and the use of disability data to guide budgeting, procurement and deployment. Stakeholders also called for post-election assessments to examine accessibility outcomes, rather than focusing solely on expenditure, and urged electoral authorities to establish mechanisms for sustained participation by persons with disabilities throughout the electoral cycle. They further identified civic and disability education as a long-term component of inclusion, suggesting that disability rights and inclusion should be incorporated into school education to help address misconceptions and barriers associated with disability.

The discussions ultimately underscored a central challenge for Nigeria's electoral system: translating legal guarantees into practical access. For persons with disabilities, stakeholders said, meaningful democratic participation will depend not only on the existence of rights in law but also on whether electoral institutions have the resources, systems and processes required to implement those rights. 

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American Wheelchair Football Super League To Debut In Nigeria As Exhibition Holds In Lagos

American Football Elite Development has disclosed plans to establish a Wheelchair American Football Super League in Nigeria, following the successful hosting of the country’s landmark Wheelchair American Football Exhibition in Lagos.

The exhibition, held at the outdoor basketball area of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Lagos, brought together wheelchair athletes, sports administrators, diplomatic representatives, government and sports officials, academic institutions, corporate organisations and members of the public in a demonstration of the sport’s potential in Nigeria.

Liberty Pioneer emerged as the standout side of the exhibition, recording two victories from three games. The team opened with a 13-0 win over Iron Invicta before defeating Atlantic Chargers 10-3 in the final game, having earlier watched Atlantic Chargers overcome Lagos Dynamos 7-0 to book their place in the decisive encounter.

A significant feature of the event was the collaboration between AFEDEV and the United States Consulate General, Lagos, which provided team jerseys, footballs and meals for participants, while also supporting the event’s visibility through its media team. Representatives of the United States diplomatic mission, alongside officials of the German Embassy, the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and the National Institute for Sports, attended the exhibition.

 

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Sports officials from other Nigerian states were also present, with some travelling to Lagos specifically to study the sport and explore how it could be introduced in their respective states.

AFEDEV Executive Director, Ojaideh Ufoma Lawrence, described the exhibition as the beginning of a broader development programme rather than an isolated event.

“This exhibition has demonstrated what is possible when athletes, diplomatic missions, government institutions, universities, businesses, the media and the wider sporting community come together around a shared vision.

“We are particularly grateful to the U.S. Consulate General Lagos for collaborating with AFEDEV and providing practical support that helped make this event possible,” Lawrence said.

He said AFEDEV would now intensify efforts to expand Wheelchair American Football across Nigeria, develop athletes, coaches and officials, and build stronger institutional and corporate partnerships, with the proposed Super League intended to provide regular competitive opportunities for teams, create a pathway for athletes to compete for national titles and potentially prepare Nigerian players for bigger international platforms.

The initiative has also attracted support from corporate organisations, including Nestle Milo, Pocari Sweat, Sports Assist, Showtime Nemsia Studio, UOU and Azogi.

  

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LASODA Partners Lawyers With Disabilities For stronger Rights Advocacy For PWDs In Lagos

The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs  (LASODA ) is partnering with the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities to explore ways of strengthening legal advocacy and accessibility for persons with disabilities in the state. This followed a courtesy visit by members of the association, led by its President, Tosan Ene, to the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal.

Ene said the association visited LASODA to identify areas where its legal expertise could complement the agency’s efforts to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He said the proposed partnership would focus particularly on advocacy and accessibility, with both organisations working to address barriers limiting the participation of persons with disabilities in society.

“We are here to explore areas of partnership that will contribute to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Lagos State,” Ene said.

He added that involving lawyers with disabilities in the agency’s advocacy efforts could strengthen interventions aimed at addressing rights and accessibility challenges affecting the community.

Responding, Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted some of LASODA’s existing measures on accessibility and advocacy, including its engagement with government agencies and other stakeholders.

She cited the agency’s collaboration with the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency on the provision of special number plates for persons with disabilities and their caregivers, aimed at making the vehicles easier to identify and facilitating access.

 

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The LASODA general manager also mentioned the agency’s accessibility checklists and awareness programmes, which she said were being used to identify barriers and promote greater inclusion across the state.

“We remain open to partnerships that will advance disability inclusion and promote the rights, dignity and welfare of persons with disabilities,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

No specific joint programme or implementation framework was announced at the meeting. Rather, the two sides agreed to explore possible areas of collaboration, with the association expected to submit a formal proposal to LASODA for consideration.

The development therefore represents an initial step towards a possible institutional partnership rather than the launch of a new disability inclusion programme.

Other members of the association at the meeting were Gbelupe Joseph, Lukman Salami, Mariah Kazeem and Enough Agofure, while LASODA’s Head of Legal Department, Babatunde Safiu, also attended.

  

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Africa’s First Wheelchair Fencing Academy Opens In Lagos

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has launched the first-ever Wheelchair Fencing Academy in Africa, welcoming participants from across the globe to the 2026 ENABLE Wheelchair Fencing Academy, hosted by World Abilitysport in collaboration with the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.

Running from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7 at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Academy will welcome athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers from Liberia, Gambia, Brazil, Namibia, the USA/ UK, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana, and host nation Nigeria.

ENABLE—short for Empowering New Abilities—is REACH Africa’s inclusion initiative dedicated to transforming lives through adaptive sport, education, leadership, and opportunity. The programme aims to create sustainable pathways for persons with disabilities to participate, compete, and excel in wheelchair fencing, while promoting inclusion across communities.

Over three days, participants will receive intensive training in fencing techniques, coaching methodologies, competition rules, athlete classification, and officiating.

A dedicated referee education seminar will also be delivered.

 

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The programme is led by Tonye Sawari, Programme Lead for the ENABLE Initiative, coordinating preparations for Nigeria’s Para team and Commonwealth nations ahead of the Championships. Training sessions will be conducted by Ivan Schwantes, World Para Fencing Coaching Representative, alongside international educators committed to expanding wheelchair fencing across Africa and the Commonwealth.

Following the Academy, athletes will compete in individual and team events in foil and epee during the Commonwealth Championships.

 Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Harry Cootes, Acting Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport, said, “A driving force behind our work is ensuring that fencing is accessible to as many people with disabilities as possible. The Wheelchair Fencing Academy, now in its fifth year, has created opportunities for athletes and coaches in emerging nations, and we are excited to bring that impact to Africa for the very first time.”

 REACH Africa Chairperson, Rachael Samuel, described the launch of ENABLE as a defining moment for inclusive sport in Nigeria: “ENABLE represents far more than a training programme. It is a commitment to ensuring that every young person, regardless of physical ability, has access to opportunity, dignity, and excellence through sport.

 “By partnering with World Abilitysport, the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, and the Nigeria Fencing Federation, we are building a sustainable pathway that identifies talent, develops coaches, empowers communities, and creates future Paralympians.”

 The ENABLE Academy is part of REACH Africa’s broader mission to use education, sport, and skills development to transform lives while creating sustainable opportunities for underserved communities. As

 Nigeria prepares to host athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth, the Academy and Championships are expected to leave a lasting legacy—expanding wheelchair fencing, developing local expertise, and demonstrating Africa’s commitment to inclusive sport and equal opportunity for all.

  

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Why We Are Introducing Specialized Vehicle Number Plates For Persons With Disabilities In Lagos - Government

The Lagos state government has clarified why it is introducing specialized vehicle number plates for persons with disabilities in the state, saying the system will improve identification, accessibility and support for members of the disability community. The State Government announced that it has commenced plans to introduce specialized vehicle number plates for Persons with Disabilities as part of efforts to enhance inclusion in the state.

The proposal formed the focus of discussions during a courtesy visit by the management of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs to the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, where both agencies explored collaboration on the development and implementation of the disability-friendly vehicle identification system.

 

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Speaking during the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the MVAA, Abdulrasheed Muri-Okunola, described the initiative as a major step towards achieving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of building “A Greater Lagos That Leaves No One Behind.”

“The specialised number plates will improve recognition, accessibility and ease of movement for persons with disabilities throughout the state, The initiative also aligns with the principles of inclusive governance,” Muri-Okunola said.

He disclosed that the agency had already commenced discussions with the Federal Road Safety Corps on the proposed number plates and would begin the necessary administrative processes while working closely with LASODA to ensure successful implementation.

Earlier, the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said the visit was aimed at initiating strategic discussions on introducing specialised number plates tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

“This initiative should cover all categories of persons with disabilities, as well as parents of children with disabilities and their caregivers.

“The system will improve identification, accessibility and support for members of the disability community,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

She added that the proposed number plates would reinforce the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are recognised, respected and able to participate fully in all aspects of life.

“The proposed number plates underscore the government’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“We call on all stakeholders to embrace inclusion as a shared responsibility and support policies that advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities,” she said.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the initiative, which aligns with the provisions of the Lagos State Special People’s Law that established LASODA to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities across all sectors.

The meeting was attended by directors and senior management staff of LASODA and the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency.

  

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Alleged Corruption And Bribery In LASODA: Lagos JONAPWD Calls For Review Of Disbursement Channels Of Disability Funds In The State

The Lagos chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) has waded into the alleged corruption and bribery accusation levelled against the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), calling for a review of disability funds disbursement channels in the state in order to ensure transparency and accountability. This was contained in a press statement issued by the body on Thursday and signed by its chairman, Barrister Lukeman Abolarinwa Salami, a copy of which was made available to Lagos Today Extra!

The statement read in part, “The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos State Chapter, as the recognised umbrella body of disability clusters across Lagos State, has followed with grave concern recent media reports on allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), and now calls on the Lagos State Government to bring transparency, accountability, and a fundamental change of approach to how public funds meant for persons with disabilities are disbursed in this state.”

 

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JONAPWD said its concerns was not borne out of speculation but based on investigative reporting by The PUNCH, which documented allegations that officials involved in administering LASODA's Disability Intervention Fund demanded kickbacks from beneficiary organisations before releasing grants, and that some organisations which refused to pay, have allegedly been blacklisted from further grants. It added That the same reporting captured the frustration of NGO operators working directly with children with disabilities, who described corruption as a central obstacle preventing support from reaching those who need it most.

“We note that LASODA has since responded publicly, denying the corruption allegations and stating that it has launched an internal fact-finding exercise following an anonymous tip, that a suspected officer has been identified, and that the matter has been referred to the appropriate authority for disciplinary consideration in line with Lagos State Public Service procedures.

“The agency, under its General Manager, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, has maintained that no disciplinary action has yet been concluded and that any outcome will be determined by the Civil Service Commission. JONAPWD acknowledges this response and states clearly that we await the outcome of this investigation, and we expect it to be conducted thoroughly, impartially, and with its findings made public, given that public funds and the welfare of a community of an estimated 3 million persons with disabilities in Lagos State are at stake,” the statement read.

It, however said JONAPWD's concerns go beyond the specific kickback allegations under investigation, stressing  that they extend to the entire architecture of how LASODA funds disability NGOs in the state, saying it is an architecture that has for long lacked the basic transparency that public funding demands.

JONAPWD noted that every year, several millions of naira are recorded as expended by LASODA in support of disability-focused NGOs, homes, and clusters; yet neither JONAPWD, nor the disability clusters it represents, nor the media, nor the Lagos State public has ever been given a clear, published account of exactly how much is disbursed, to which organisations, and on what basis.

“We are aware that some organisations, including some without proper official registration, have received support in excess of two million naira in a single cycle, while established disability clusters have received less than two million naira each, and JONAPWD itself, as the umbrella body coordinating these very clusters, received only one million five hundred thousand naira last year.

“LASODA has stated that annual institutional support is consistently extended to recognised umbrella associations while other organisations are considered based on programme priorities and assessment processes, but no such criteria, assessments, or figures have ever been made available to the community for independent scrutiny,” the statement read.

In stating its position on the matter, JONAPWD said LASODA has no business funding NGOs, stressing that Non-governmental organisations exist, by definition, to raise their own funding through legitimate proposals to donors, development partners, and philanthropic institutions. The body added that it is not the statutory responsibility of a government disability agency to serve as a grant-making body for NGOs, particularly where no transparent framework exists to govern who receives what, and why, which it said has now led to the corruption allegations facing the agency.

In addition, the body advised that the money currently being expended on NGO funding arrangement should instead be redirected to direct, sustained social protection interventions for persons with disabilities themselves.

“The millions currently being expended on this funding arrangement should instead be redirected to direct, sustained social protection interventions for persons with disabilities themselves, most notably a structured cash transfer programme targeted at verified persons with disabilities across all clusters in Lagos State,” it stated,  adding that Money spent reaching disabled Lagosians directly, through a transparent and auditable mechanism, would always do more for the community than money disbursed to organisations whose registration, activities, and impact cannot be confirmed.

JONAPWD also called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand a full, public disclosure of LASODA's NGO funding disbursements over the past five years, including the names of all recipient organisations, the amounts received, and the criteria applied, independent of and in addition to the ongoing internal investigation.

The body also called on the Lagos State Government to ensure that the current investigation into kickback allegations is not left solely to LASODA's internal processes, but is subjected to independent oversight, given that the agency under investigation cannot credibly be the sole judge of its own conduct.

“Lagos State is home to an estimated three million persons with disabilities. That is a population too large to be treated as an afterthought while public funds are disbursed behind closed doors and only scrutinised after journalists, not the agency itself, bring the matter to light,” it stated,  stressing that the Lagos State Chapter  of JONAPWD will continue to mobilise its members, its media partners, and its civic allies to press for a system in which disability funding in the state is transparent, needs-based, and free of the abuse that recent reporting has laid bare. It added that the body will be watching closely for the outcome of the investigation LASODA has announced.

“We remain committed to constructive engagement with the Lagos State Government and with LASODA on this matter, and we stand ready to work with any credible process aimed at correcting it,” the statement concluded.

  

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Lagos Junior Secondary Schoolgirls Develop AI-powered Platform That Converts Classroom Notes Into Sign Language Videos

Mende Junior High School has won the overall prize in Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge. The girls won the competition with Learning Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

One hundred and thirty-five girls from 27 public secondary schools in Lagos were involved in the project that aimed to develop artificial intelligence-powered solutions addressing education, safety and bullying after participating in Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge.

 

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The initiative, organised under the Tech Girls Drive Advocacy programme of the Women Techsters initiative, introduced participants from Lagos Education Districts II and IV to practical AI and problem-solving skills.

The challenge culminated in a grand finale where six finalist teams presented AI-driven projects designed to improve learning accessibility, student safety and school welfare.

Speaking at the event, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Abraham Akpan, said the programme was designed to prepare girls for opportunities in an AI-driven future.

“This challenge was about more than learning Artificial Intelligence. It was about helping young girls see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. When girls are given access to the right skills and opportunities, they can build solutions that create real impact in their communities,” he said.

The programme began with advocacy sessions in 31 public secondary schools before 27 schools progressed to the competition. Each participating school nominated five girls from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3 to develop AI-powered solutions with support from teachers and volunteer mentors.

At the competition, Mende Junior High School won the overall prize with Learning Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Onike Girls Junior High School finished second with Onike Girls Alarm Station, a personal safety application featuring a one-tap emergency alert and live GPS tracking to help girls seek assistance during emergencies, including in areas with poor network coverage.

Mende Senior High School secured third place with SpeakSafe, an anonymous AI-powered reporting platform designed to help students report bullying while enabling schools to identify patterns and respond promptly.

One of the participants said the challenge had changed her perception of artificial intelligence.

“Before this challenge, I never imagined I could use AI. Working with my team showed me that our ideas matter, and it has inspired me to keep learning and building solutions that can help others,” she said.

Beyond the winning entries, participating schools developed projects focusing on gender-based violence, adolescent health, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, unemployment, educational access and social inclusion.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Oni commended the initiative for promoting digital skills among young girls.

“Education must continue to evolve to prepare young people for the reality of tomorrow. Initiatives like this provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, creativity, and digital skills. We commend Tech4Dev for creating this platform and investing in the future of our girls,” she said.

Tech4Dev said the challenge forms part of its broader effort to expand digital skills training for girls in underserved communities through the Women Techsters Programme, which operates in 30 African countries to prepare girls and women for careers in technology and innovation.

  

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Corruption And Bribery Allegation: NGO Calls For Suspension Of LASODA's Leadership, Asks EFCC To Wade In

The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind CITAB has expressed profound disappointment, shock, and outright condemnation over the investigative report by The Punch Newspaper alleging systemic corruption and bribery within the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs LASODA.

This was contained in a press release issued in Lagos by Jolomi Fenemigho, Executive Chairman of CITAB.

CITAB noted that the report, which details alleged extortion, administrative roadblocks, and kickback demands targeted at non governmental organisations NGOs that cater for children with disabilities, paints a devastating picture of state enabled neglect. According to the report, approvals and support that should flow directly to children in need are allegedly being processed only after certain envelopes move in the opposite direction, leaving vulnerable children to pay the hidden price of official indulgence.

 

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Fenemigho described the revelations as a tragic betrayal of trust and a direct assault on the survival and dignity of persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

According to him, “It is a moral low and a structural tragedy when an agency explicitly mandated to protect and uplift the disability community becomes the very obstacle to their survival. Extorting NGOs that are struggling to keep children with disabilities alive, educated, and cared for is a crime against humanity. LASODA was built to be a refuge, not a tollgate, and public servants were not hired to collect gate fees before compassion can cross the door.”

The CITAB leader recalled that LASODA was established to implement the Lagos State Special Peoples Law, guaranteeing equity, access to infrastructure, and welfare for citizens with disabilities. He said that any practice that allegedly ties approvals, grants, or access to assistive devices and welfare programmes to appreciation from NGOs completely invalidates the progressive image Lagos State claims to project on disability inclusion.

The statement warned that when corruption penetrates a disability agency, the consequences for beneficiaries are immediate and physical, noting that for a blind child, a project quietly stalled on a desk because an NGO declined to play ball can mean another term out of school, while diverted resources can mean the denial of basic mobility and digital tools required to participate in society.

In the light of the situation, CITAB issued a series of firm demands to the Lagos State Government, calling first for the immediate suspension of LASODA’s leadership and all implicated officials, and the establishment of an independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations in full.

“We cannot entrust the investigation of these claims to the same structures accused of enabling them. Only a transparent, independent judicial process can restore public confidence and reassure families and NGOs that their cries are being taken seriously. If there is nothing to hide, then the books, the files, and the phones should have nothing to fear,” it stated.

CITAB further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC to wade in, insisting that any official found guilty of demanding kickbacks, hoarding aid, or weaponising approvals against NGOs must face the full weight of the law.

Fenemigho also called for the total digitization and automation of LASODA’s aid and resource distribution processes. He demanded an open, accessible digital portal where NGOs and individuals can submit applications, track approvals, and view disbursements in real time, so that favour no longer determines whose file moves and whose gathers dust.

The CITAB boss stressed the need for civil society oversight, calling for independent, certified non governmental organisations within the disability community to be formally included in monitoring the allocation of disability resources and auditing LASODA’s operations.

According to him, “Every naira diverted through kickbacks or blocked approvals is a naira stolen from mobility tools, therapy, education, and rehabilitation for our children. When an agency created to protect us is accused of turning NGO partnerships into a cash and carry arrangement, Lagosians must ask: who is really being served, the public or private appetites”

Fenemigho expressed CITAB’s unwavering solidarity with the NGOs and the families allegedly victimised by systemic extortion and administrative abuse, pledging that the organisation will not remain silent while resources meant to give children with disabilities a fighting chance at life are converted into returns on investment for a few well placed officials.

He called on the Lagos State Government to clean up LASODA without delay through an independent judicial investigation, criminal prosecution where warranted, full digitization and public transparency of aid processes, and structured civil society oversight. He stressed that the disability community deserves accountability, dignity, and justice, not exploitation, adding that Nothing About Us Without Us must guide every policy and naira spent in their name.

  

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LASODA In The Eye Of The Storm, As Allegations Of Corruption And Kick-back Bribery Hit Agency

When in May, this year, the annual budgetary allocation to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) was increased from N500 Million to N1 Billion, there was hope that the increment would help alleviate the plight of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state. However, the agency is currently entangled in allegations of kickback demands, blacklisting of outspoken NGOs, and mismanagement of the Disability Intervention Fund, which have compounded the woes of PWDs in the state.

According to a report in The Punch, disability rights advocates say there is a growing number of children living with disabilities, many of whom require specialised healthcare, rehabilitation services, assistive devices, educational support and welfare interventions but do not receive them due to alleged corruption and other systemic challenges.

While government intervention funds and support programmes exist to address some of these needs, stakeholders alleged that beneficiaries are unable to access them.

 

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“Disability advocates and non-governmental organisations working in the sector say  children living with disabilities continue to struggle to access intervention funds and support services meant to improve their lives,” the report stated.

The 2021 United Nations Population Fund estimated that about 32 million Nigerians, including children, live with one form of disability or another.

Children with disabilities experience disrupted education for various reasons, including stigma and discrimination, inaccessible school infrastructure, delayed identification and diagnosis, and inadequate funding to support their needs.

However, to address these challenges, the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola established the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs following the enactment of the Lagos State Special People’s Law in 2011.

It was meant to safeguard persons with disabilities from discrimination and guarantee equal rights.

LASODA was created to enforce the law, issue disability certificates, protect the rights of persons with disabilities and serve as a link between the government and NGOs, homes and cluster foundations working with them.

His successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, established the disability fund and inaugurated the agency’s board in line with the law.

Following this, the Lagos State Government voted N500m annually to support persons with disabilities before increasing the allocation to N1bn in May 2026. The fund is intended to promote inclusion, accessibility and public awareness.

The Lagos State Government also provides annual grants ranging from N500,000 to N1 million to registered NGOs, special homes and disability clusters.

The funds are managed and disbursed through LASODA to support the daily operations, advocacy and caregiving activities of organisations working with persons with disabilities.

However, according to the report, stakeholders alleged that some officials involved in administering the funds demand kickbacks from beneficiary organisations before processing or releasing the grants.

An NGO operator identified simply as Ishola, who works closely with children with disabilities, alleged that corruption had become a major obstacle preventing support from reaching those who need it most.

“There is funding available for these children, but it cannot reach them because corruption is getting worse every day. Some officials responsible for processing or facilitating access to intervention funds demand a percentage of the money as a kickback before approving or releasing support,” the source told The Punch.

Several stakeholders who spoke exclusively to Sunday PUNCH raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the administration of disability-related intervention funds.

They alleged that demands for kickbacks significantly reduce the funds available to NGOs to cater to the needs of children living with disabilities.

Another NGO operator, who requested anonymity for fear of being blacklisted from accessing intervention funds, alleged that during an interaction with the Director of Social Development and Integration at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Kelani Akeem, the official proposed sharing intervention funds.

“He said he would include my NGO’s name among the beneficiaries, but I would have to give him a certain amount as commission. I knew that if I did that, there would be nothing left to carry out the interventions for the children,” the source told Punch’s correspondent.

The source further alleged that organisations that refused to comply with such demands risked being excluded from funding opportunities.

“We have been blacklisted because we refused to pay. Some of the things happening in this sector are deeply troubling,” the source claimed.

He further added that many organisations that allegedly comply were afraid to speak out for fear of being cut off from future interventions.

“They would say half a loaf is better than none, thereby denying needy children the intervention that was meant for them and enriching some selfish individuals within LASODA,” the source alleged.

The allegations against LASODA come amid growing concerns by some stakeholders over the management of disability intervention funds in Lagos State.

The PUNCH, in a report published on November 6, 2025, reported that the Coordinator of Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation, Kehinde Oshilaja, urged the Lagos State Government to make greater provisions for the welfare of persons with disabilities, particularly in affordable housing, healthcare and social infrastructure.

The organisation also called for well-equipped sporting facilities to promote the physical and social well-being of persons with disabilities across the state.

When the Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, announced in May 2026 an increase in the disability support fund managed by LASODA from N500 million to N1 billion during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, he said the additional funding was specifically meant to strengthen support for persons with disabilities across the state.

According to the commissioner, the agency had continued to make significant progress in promoting inclusion, accessibility and public awareness for persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

He said LASODA’s interventions covered capacity building and professional training, economic empowerment and business support, financial assistance to homes and disability clusters, as well as the provision of assistive devices, prosthetics, and work tools.

However, Sunday PUNCH reported that some stakeholders alleged that the same intervention fund had become vulnerable to kickback demands by some officials from NGOs seeking access to the grants.

Behind the allegations of corruption and demands for kickbacks are families whose lives have been upended by the inability to access support meant for children living with disabilities.

For a grandmother, who introduced herself to Sunday PUNCH as Mrs Sola, the cost was irreversible.

As her grandson’s condition worsened, she knocked on the doors of non-governmental organisations, hoping someone would help. She exhausted her family’s savings, borrowed from neighbours and sought assistance from charitable organisations. But the help she desperately needed never came.

Her grandson died while they were still searching for support, leaving behind grief and painful questions about whether his life could have been different had help arrived in time.

For another mother, the nightmare is still unfolding.

Her young son suffers from a severe medical condition that requires surgery, yet months after seeking help, she is still unable to find an NGO willing or able to fund the operation.

A Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Havanah Hospital, Lagos Island, Dr Cynthia Okafor, said delays in accessing intervention for children living with disabilities could have devastating consequences.

She noted that many families are unable to secure urgent medical treatment because organisations expected to support them often lack adequate resources.

According to her, one of the gravest consequences of the alleged corruption is that it diminishes children’s chances of receiving timely medical attention that could improve or even save their lives.

“Illnesses and diseases are better treated at an early stage. When treatment is delayed beyond the critical or golden period, the chances of recovery become significantly reduced,” she said.

A child rights advocate and lawyer, Lawrence Ndukwe, said the allegations underscore the need for stronger oversight, transparent disbursement mechanisms, and independent monitoring of disability intervention funds.

He argued that every naira allocated to support children living with disabilities should be traceable from appropriation to implementation.

When contacted over the allegations, the Director of Social Development and Integration at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Kelani Akeem, appealed to Sunday PUNCH to “use your good office to address the matter,” saying it had been resolved internally.

“May God not let you lose your job. May God not let you lose your job. May God not let you lose your job. I don’t know what to say. Please use your good office to address the matter. The matter has been settled in the office,” he said when asked to respond to the allegations.

The General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, was also contacted on Friday, July 17, 2026, and asked to respond to the allegations. She requested that the enquiries be sent via email, which the punch’s correspondent did.

When reminded the following day that no response had been received, she replied:

“Good afternoon, sir. You sent your email, didn’t you? Exactly… you will get your reply. Thank you.”

As of the time this report was filed, LASODA had yet to respond to the detailed questionnaire sent by Sunday PUNCH, which sought its reaction to allegations of kickback demands, the blacklisting of NGOs, the alleged mismanagement of the Disability Intervention Fund, and the measures it has put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the funds.

With report from The Punch

  

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