The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) has expressed concern over frequent power outages and the escalating cost of running the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) for the Blind located on FIIRO Road, Cappa, in Oshodi, Lagos. The society also announced a revision of its admission age policy, reducing the upper age limit from 70 to 65 years due to health-related challenges observed among older applicants.
Admission Policy Changes
Njideka Ayopeju, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the VTC, disclosed this during the 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos. She stated that the centre previously admitted students aged 16 to 70, but plans are underway to lower the upper age limit to 65 starting from the next admission cycle. She noted that 2025 was characterized by resilience, strategic engagement, institutional growth, and measurable progress, and despite rising operational costs and economic pressures, the society remained dedicated to rehabilitating and empowering blind and visually impaired individuals.
Admission and Academic Achievements
In the 2025 training year, the centre admitted 25 trainees, comprising 22 regular trainees and three executive trainees. The cohort included 14 males and eight females in Year One, and 15 males and seven females in Year Two. The centre recorded notable academic achievements: nine trainees sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and eight secured admission into various universities nationwide, achieving an 89% success rate. Additionally, 23 regular trainees and four executive trainees successfully graduated.
The newly introduced Executive Trainee Programme (ETP) is designed to support professionals requiring workplace reintegration and vocational skills. Ayopeju explained that admissions had focused on candidates aged 16 to 70 with basic literacy, but health challenges among older applicants prompted the downward review of the upper age limit.
Operational Challenges
Despite these achievements, the centre faced significant operational challenges, including frequent power outages that disrupted training schedules and instructional activities. There was also a shortage of qualified instructional staff due to rising salary expectations, though steps have been taken by the executive council to address this. Another major difficulty was the breakdown of service vehicles, which impacted logistics and field activities.
Infrastructure and Partnerships
Arit Tunde-Imoyo, chairman of the centre, reported that with support from SNEPCo, the society completed the construction of a new gatehouse to enhance security and access control. Renovations were carried out on two hostel buildings housing six hostel blocks for male trainees, improving living conditions. To address water supply challenges, the society partnered with Femina Hygienical to install a new borehole system serving the female hostel, library, classrooms, and staff quarters.
Heavy rainfall and strong windstorms caused repeated damage to sections of the perimeter fencing shared with neighboring institutions, including NIMET, FIIRO Guest House, and Frontline Hotel. Tunde-Imoyo noted that the society continues to face sustainability challenges from operational and administrative costs, increasing demand for rehabilitation services, limited funding, and infrastructure maintenance needs.
Future Plans
The society is committed to pursuing key developmental priorities, including full solarization of the VTC to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs, digitalization of the library for enhanced learning accessibility, procurement of a coaster bus for trainees and a salon car for operations, accreditation of VTC programmes, and continued renovation of hostels and staff quarters. For 2026, the centre aims to expand instructional and administrative staff capacity, upgrade training equipment and facilities, broaden vocational course offerings, and implement a coordinated publicity and marketing plan to boost enrolment and visibility.
