Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, declaring that the revolution for intentional support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) has begun in the State with the backing of the Presidency.
Governor Oyebanji stated this while delivering an address at the 36th Annual National Conference of the National Association for Exceptional Children (NAEC), held at the Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos.
Governor Oyebanji who was Chairman at the occasion, was conferred with the Award of “ Friendly Governor of Persons With Disabilities” in recognition of his landmark policies and programmes for PWDs in Ekiti State.
Speaking to an audience of educators, therapists, parents, caregivers and stakeholders from across Nigeria, Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, commended NAEC for 36 years of advocacy and saluted all practitioners working with exceptional children.
“I know your pains. I know your struggles. You are the ones turning ‘hopeless situations’ into testimonies. Let me assure you: Government is aware. And your interventions are working”, the Governor said.
Highlighting Ekiti’s strides, Governor Oyebanji listed key interventions to include free, compulsory and qualitative education for children with disabilities from primary to secondary school, establishment of the first adapted classrooms in public special schools in Nigeria, recruitment of Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in public special schools for the first time in Nigeria.
Development of a new curriculum for Special/Rehabilitation Classes.
Others include free healthcare for all PWDs at primary health centres, free therapeutic services in special schools, establishment of a Therapy Centre for Children with severe Disabilities, distribution of over N12 million worth of hearing aids and hosting of the _first ever Ekiti State Paralympics Games, where new talents were discovered.
Speaking further, the Governor also cited the training and empowerment of over 130 PWDs with start-up kits, cash grants and Trade Test Certificates, and another 100 currently on apprenticeship, employment of 41 PWDs into the State Civil Service, approval for 17 therapists and 91 support staff as well as the creation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion and appointment of Persons with Disabilities into key positions including as Executive Secretary, Special Assistant and Board Members.
“What we are doing in Ekiti is not an accident. Soon, this revolution will spread round Nigeria and across Africa. Because when one state proves that inclusion works, a nation cannot continue with exclusion”, he added.
The Governor urged parents not to hide children with disabilities, noting that training is ongoing for all Head teachers and Principals to ensure public schools remain open to all learners. He also charged stakeholders to leave the conference with commitments, not just resolutions.”
It is recalled that In June 2025, during the Annual National Conference of Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers, Governor Oyebanji was conferred with the Disability Champion Award and the NASET Fellowship.
He has also received other numerous awards based on his unique human face approach to governance and intentional support for persons with disabilities.
