The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has convened a Stakeholders’ Forum aimed at strengthening partnerships for effective and inclusive disability service delivery across the state.
The forum, held on December 22, 2025, at Bola Memorial School, Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders within the disability sector, including service providers, academics, and advocates, to deliberate on strategies for improving the quality and reach of disability services in Lagos State.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the Director of the Medical Rehabilitation Appliances and Mobility Aid Department, Mr. Viavonu Folorunsho, expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their consistent support throughout the year.
He called for deeper collaboration, noting that LASODA cannot achieve its mandate in isolation. According to him, “we need you, the stakeholders,” while expressing optimism that the forum would yield meaningful outcomes.
Also speaking, the Director of Social Development and Integration at LASODA, Mr. Akeem Kelani, urged stakeholders to focus on addressing the real and pressing needs of persons with disabilities. He stressed that people-centred initiatives are essential to achieving better outcomes and improving the overall quality of life of persons with disabilities in the state.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Jubril Jawando of the Department of Sociology, Lagos State University (LASU), identified major challenges facing disability service providers, including low budgetary allocations, inadequate data, and limited access to funding. He emphasized the importance of global collaboration, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and the media in advancing inclusive and sustainable disability service delivery.
In a separate presentation, Professor Chinwe Nwanna of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) provided insights into service providership within the disability sector.
She underscored the need for stakeholders to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, while highlighting transparency and inter-sectoral collaboration as key drivers of sustainable and impactful disability services.
The forum also featured an interactive session where participants shared experiences, raised questions, and offered recommendations aimed at strengthening disability service delivery in Lagos State.
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