Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, joined the global community to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with various activities organized by its Disability Support Office and the Department of Special Education.

The event, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, spotlighted the theme, “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Creating an Accessible and Equitable World.”

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment.

He stated, “Let us remember that our gathering here is more than a ceremony—it is a reminder of our collective responsibility to advocate for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.”

Professor Jimoh highlighted the university’s progressive policies aimed at supporting staff and students with disabilities. These include a ₦100,000 tuition fee waiver for students with disabilities, a ₦50,000 monthly allowance for staff with disabilities, enhanced employment opportunities for sign language interpreters, and the establishment of a Disability Support Office. He also emphasized the institution’s commitment to ensuring accessible facilities across campus and the representation of students with disabilities in the student union.

“These initiatives are designed to support staff and students with disabilities because we believe that everyone, regardless of ability, has the right to fully participate in all aspects of life,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

The Coordinator of the Disability Support Office and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Olubukola Christianah Dada, in her opening remarks, described the event’s theme as a call for collaborative action to foster inclusivity. She stressed the importance of involving persons living with disabilities in policymaking to build a truly equitable society.

Guest speaker Professor Julius Abiola Ademokoya, a Special Education expert from the University of Ibadan, urged the government and academic institutions to generate innovative solutions to dismantle socio-cultural barriers against persons with disabilities. Citing United Nations statistics, he noted that one in six individuals in developing countries like Nigeria has a significant disability and called for efforts to enable their contribution to the economy.

As part of the celebration, a sensitization walk was held, featuring students with disabilities, students of the Department of Special Education, and participants from special and inclusive primary schools. Clad in vibrant yellow T-shirts, the participants brought colour and energy to the event, reinforcing the message of unity and inclusion.