The July edition of the Monthly Seminar Series organized by the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos, shed light on the pressing issue of victimization faced by children with special needs, and how parental knowledge influences their protection and wellbeing.
Held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Red Brick Building in the DLI Complex, the seminar was titled “Victimization of Children with Special Needs, Parental Knowledge and Responses in Southwest Nigeria: Counseling Implications.” The event featured Dr. Adeduni O. Adegun, a seasoned counselor and scholar, who led participants through an in-depth analysis of the often-overlooked struggles these children face.
In her presentation, Dr. Adegun identified various forms of victimization—physical, emotional, and social—experienced by special needs children at school, within communities, and sometimes even at home. She emphasized that parental awareness plays a pivotal role in either mitigating or worsening these experiences.
Drawing on findings from her research across Southwest Nigeria, Dr. Adegun explained that many parents lack a deep understanding of their children’s conditions. This often leads to inadequate care, delayed intervention, and passive responses to abuse and discrimination.
“When parents are empowered with knowledge, they become advocates. But when they are uninformed, these children are left vulnerable,” she said, highlighting the significant counseling implications for families, educators, and community caregivers.
Dr. Adegun, who also coordinates DLI’s Counseling Unit, proposed a collaborative counseling model. This model would bring together families, schools, and community support systems to collectively protect and support special needs children. Her presentation sparked a vibrant discussion among attendees, many of whom shared personal stories and practical strategies for inclusive care, especially in both rural and urban environments.
In her opening remarks, the Director of the Distance Learning Institute, Professor Risikat Oladoyin Dauda, represented by Dr. Abosede Ebahbhi, Deputy Director (Academics), reiterated DLI’s commitment to inclusive and research-driven dialogue. She stated that the monthly seminar series remains a key platform for addressing real-world societal issues through scholarship and conversation.
She praised the DLI leadership and staff for their dedication to sustaining the seminar series and urged participants to reflect deeply on the subject and contribute meaningfully to the discourse.
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