People from different groups have called for quick action to make public places in Lagos easier for people with disabilities to use. They said it is important to follow the laws that support their inclusion and improve their quality of life.
These people—including those from government, private companies, and non-profit groups—met at a special event. They urged the Lagos State Government to close the gap between the laws that exist and what actually happens, especially in public buildings and services.
At the meeting, called the “One-day pre-assessment stakeholders’ meeting on accessibility compliance in Lagos,” Mrs. Nike Denis from the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria said working together was very important.
He need to work with everyone—government offices, private businesses, public services, and caring people. We must make sure people with disabilities are treated with respect,” she said.
She said it’s important for everyone in Lagos, including people with disabilities, to have equal access to healthcare, education, and social life.
“Most importantly, we need to move from just having plans on paper to actually doing things. People with disabilities should be able to use public places without trouble,” she added.
She praised the Lagos State Government for some of the work done but said many problems still exist.
“There are many policies written, but we need to act on them now. We appreciate what LASODA and other agencies have done, but we also see there are still problems with following the rules, designing spaces correctly, and making the public aware,” she said.
Denis also said that public spaces should be designed to include tools like Braille and special signs for the visually impaired.
“We shouldn’t only think about people who can walk without help, but also about people in wheelchairs, those who can’t see well, and others with different disabilities,” she said.
She hoped that the meeting would lead to long-term partnerships and real improvements.
From today’s meeting, we hope to come up with useful ideas, build stronger partnerships, and start real changes to make Lagos fully accessible,” she said.
Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo, Director of the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, talked about the poor enforcement of the Lagos State Special People’s Law.
“The law was created in 2011 and includes rules about physical and digital access for people with disabilities,” he said.
He said that even though there was a five-year period to make changes, many places in Lagos are still not accessible 14 years later.
“Many buildings still don’t have the features needed for people with disabilities,” he added.
Fajemilo said the purpose of the meeting was to understand the current situation and find out what’s stopping progress.
From this meeting, we want to find the main problems and decide what we can do together to push for full inclusion,” he said.
He added that the meeting would help plan future visits and check if things improve.
After today, we’ll visit key places to advocate for change, and in about five months, we’ll come back to see what has improved,” he said.
Dr. Adekola Olufunmilayo from LASODA said that following the law is just as important as having the law itself.
“We have laws, but people must follow them. Sadly, some businesses and public places are not giving proper attention to accessibility,” she said.
The said LASODA is working with other government groups to make sure public spaces follow the design rules.
People with disabilities have the right to enter public places easily,” she said.
Mr. Pius Ogbu Sunday from The Leprosy Mission Nigeria said making places accessible should not be up for debate. He said we must take clear actions to remove all barriers.
“For people with disabilities, being able to move freely isn’t just about buildings—it’s about dignity, fairness, and justice,” he said.
Let this meeting lead to real results—where barriers are not just talked about, but removed. Accessibility must become a key part of planning and government,” he added.
