The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive education and ensuring equal learning opportunities for students with special needs following a courtesy visit by the leadership of the National Association of Exceptional Children (NAEC).
The NAEC delegation, led by its National President, Professor Julius Abiola Ademokoya, visited the university on Wednesday as part of activities marking the association’s **36th Annual National Conference**, which is taking place at UNILAG from August 4 to 7, 2026. The conference is themed **”Repositioning Special Needs Education in Nigeria.”**
Speaking during the visit, Professor Ademokoya expressed appreciation to the university management and the Faculty of Education for supporting the successful hosting of the conference. He also commended UNILAG’s Special Needs Unit for its contributions to supporting students with disabilities.
The NAEC president, however, called for the Special Needs Unit to be upgraded to a full-fledged academic department to strengthen teaching, research and service delivery in special needs education.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi-Lesi, welcomed the visitors and congratulated the association on the successful organisation of its annual conference.
Afolabi-Lesi said UNILAG remains at the forefront of inclusive education in Nigeria, noting that the university has one of the largest populations of students with special needs among tertiary institutions in the country.
According to him, the institution’s commitment to creating an enabling environment ensures that all students, regardless of physical or learning disabilities, have the opportunity to achieve their academic potential.
He described the conference theme as timely, saying it aligns with national efforts to strengthen policies and practices that promote inclusive education and guarantee equitable access to quality learning for all learners.
The meeting concluded with both UNILAG and NAEC reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing inclusive education, improving support systems for learners with special needs, and promoting policies that foster equal educational opportunities across Nigeria.
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