The Federal Government has intensified efforts to foster inclusive, safe, and gender-sensitive learning environments across the country, in a renewed push to improve access and equity in education for all learners, including those with disabilities.
The move was announced during a capacity-building workshop organized by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission on Thursday in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Inclusive, Safe, and Gender-Sensitive Learning Environments for All,” brought together Special Education Desk Officers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, emphasized the need for collaboration among school proprietors, development partners, and state governments to ensure that educational institutions are inclusive and responsive to gender needs.
Represented by Kehinde Osinaike, Deputy Director at the Ministry’s Science and Technology Department, the minister said:
“The workshop is a crucial step in turning inclusive education and gender policies into practical strategies that impact learners’ lives. We must go beyond rhetoric to drive real change in our schools.”
Ahmad referenced two key policies—the National Policy on Inclusive Education and the National Policy on Gender in Education—as guiding frameworks aimed at eliminating systemic barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
“The Inclusive Education Policy was designed to ensure equity and remove learning barriers, particularly for learners with disabilities and those from marginalized backgrounds. Similarly, the Gender Policy aims to eliminate disparities and create equal opportunities for both girls and boys,” she explained.
Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, stated that the workshop aimed to equip frontline officers with the tools needed to implement inclusive practices and address gender-based violence in schools.
“We want to transform our senior secondary schools into sanctuaries of learning, where every child—regardless of ability, background, or gender—feels safe and valued,” Ajayi said.
He described Special Education Officers as the “architects of inclusion,” charged with the responsibility of ensuring that education policies are translated into action on the ground.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan, stressed the urgency of addressing the barriers facing Nigeria’s estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities.
“Many schools still lack basic infrastructure like ramps, making access difficult for students with disabilities. This is unacceptable,” Gufwan said.
He called for the educational system to recognize the diverse needs of all learners, emphasizing that every human being lives with some form of disability and deserves equitable treatment.
