Mirian Gom 
KWARA, Nigeria – Parents of children living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Nigeria have urged governments to establish dedicated schools and employ trained shadow teachers to support inclusive learning.
Speaking in Ilorin during the 2025 World Cerebral Palsy Day organised by Ifeoluwa Cerebral Palsy Initiative and the Kwara Government, Mrs Shukurat Afolabi appealed for a state-funded special school. “Most private schools reject our children because they lack trained teachers,” she said. “If the government can fund shadow teachers twice a week, it will greatly help.”
She also requested free physiotherapy sessions and subsidised medication. “Many of us spend heavily on drugs and diapers; free therapy would ease the burden,” Afolabi added.
Another parent, Mrs Oluwabusayo Olaoye, shared her experience caring for her son, Michael. “I left my banking job to look after him. It’s emotionally and financially draining,” she said, urging government and private donors to support families and partner schools providing care for CP children.
The event emphasised inclusion, calling on policymakers to ensure all children with disabilities have access to quality education and healthcare.
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Hussaini Ibrahim