Tinubu’s Aide Abba Isa Marks 2026 Children’s Day, Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Education for Children With Disabilities
By Lanre Oloyede
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for stronger national action to address the educational barriers facing children with disabilities in Nigeria, as the world commemorates the 2026 Children’s Day.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, Abba Isa emphasized that Children’s Day remains a moment of global reflection on the protection, nurturing, and empowerment of children, describing them as “the most precious segment of any society and the true measure of its future.”
He noted that while Nigeria has recorded progress in advancing inclusive education, significant gaps still exist, particularly for children with disabilities.
According to him, many of these children remain out of school, while those enrolled continue to face challenges such as inaccessible school infrastructure, shortage of trained special education teachers, lack of assistive learning devices, and inadequate inclusive learning materials.
The presidential aide, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening inclusive education under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that deliberate steps are being taken to ensure that “no child is left behind.”
He disclosed that the Federal Government has initiated plans to enroll two million children with disabilities into schools nationwide as part of a broader effort to expand access to inclusive and accessible education.
He added that discussions with the Minister of Education have focused on implementing the Renewed Hope National Programme on Inclusive and Accessible Education, aimed at removing barriers, improving infrastructure, and equipping teachers to better support learners with special needs.
Abba Isa also paid tribute to parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with disabilities, describing their dedication as the backbone of many successes achieved by the children.
He assured them of continued government support beyond rhetoric, through sustained and practical interventions.
He further commended teachers and school administrators working under challenging conditions to support inclusive learning, noting that their role remains critical in building an education system that accommodates diversity and individual learning needs.
According to him, “the true progress of any nation is measured not by how it treats its strongest, but by how it uplifts its most vulnerable,” adding that the success of children with disabilities is inseparable from Nigeria’s national development.
He concluded by extending greetings on the occasion of World Children’s Day and wished all Nigerian children a brighter and more inclusive future.
