The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships that promote inclusive governance and accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). This followed a courtesy visit by the agency to the Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Leading the LASODA delegation, General Manager, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, was warmly received by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko.
In her remarks, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s hospitality and stressed that disability inclusion must be mainstreamed into every facet of public governance and service delivery. She called for the presence of sign language interpreters at all government programs and advocated for greater employment opportunities for PWDs across all cadres of the civil service.
She also underscored the need for comprehensive registration and data management of PWDs in the state to ensure adequate representation of all disability categories. According to her, creating a dedicated budget line for assistive devices and work tools would further enhance the productivity and independence of PWDs.
Highlighting the transportation barriers faced by persons with disabilities, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal urged the government to prioritize accessibility in public transportation and strengthen emergency response mechanisms to prevent avoidable disability-related incidents.
She further emphasized institutional capacity building and proposed stronger collaboration between LASODA and the Ministry in executing inclusive projects and initiatives for 2026 and beyond.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ogundeko, commended LASODA’s proactive approach and agreed on the need for regular training of public service personnel on effective engagement with PWDs, assuring the Ministry’s continued cooperation in driving inclusion across the state.
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