In a significant move to enhance educational inclusion, a group has provided essential learning and mobility tools to visually impaired students across Nigeria. The initiative, which took place in Lagos, marks a collaborative effort to support students with disabilities in their academic pursuits.
Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The Society for the Welfare of the Blind (SWBN), with crucial backing from multinational company SC Johnson, distributed vital study kits and walking aids to selected students. The event was held on December 22, 2025 at SC Johnson’s corporate headquarters in Isolo, Lagos, to commemorate this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
At least 10 students from secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide were chosen to receive the equipment. Each beneficiary was given a package designed to aid their learning and daily mobility, which included:
- A computer
- A school bag
- A digital audio recorder
- A guide cane
Personal Experience Fuels a 27-Year Mission
Emiola Ladipo Tade, the founder of SWBN, shared that the drive behind the initiative is deeply personal. He lost his sight in 1990 and was later motivated by the level of poverty he witnessed years ago at the Blind Centre in Oshodi. He discovered that most students there came from disadvantaged backgrounds and struggled to afford basic educational tools, which prompted him to establish SWBN.
Reflecting on the organization's 27-year journey, Tade highlighted the pivotal role of multinational partners like SC Johnson in sustaining their mission. He acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, given the large number of visually impaired students in need of support across the country.
Tade encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the equipment fully to advance their studies. He also expressed profound gratitude to SC Johnson for its financial and moral support. Furthermore, he made a passionate appeal to other multinational corporations to integrate assistance for people with disabilities into their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, emphasizing that such partnerships yield significant benefits for all parties involved.
Rigorous Selection Ensures Impact
Maria Kazeem, a member of SWBN, provided details on the selection process for the beneficiaries. She confirmed that the 10 students were chosen from 10 different institutions spread across Nigeria. Kazeem stressed that the selection was very thorough, with each potential beneficiary undergoing a diligent investigation to confirm they were performing well academically and were genuinely in need of the support.
This event underscores a growing commitment to creating a more inclusive educational environment in Nigeria, where students with visual impairments are equipped with the necessary tools to compete and succeed.
