By Henry Ojelu

LAGOS — The Punuka Foundation has called on federal and state governments, private organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to step up support for children with special needs, citing poor funding and inadequate infrastructure as major challenges confronting their care.

Speaking during the Foundation’s annual “Walk for Super Special Children” held in Lekki, Lagos, the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN, lamented the lack of structured systems for identifying and addressing the unique needs of children living with conditions such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD.

Idigbe, who is also the Senior Partner at Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, decried the state of care for children with developmental challenges, noting that while laws exist to protect them, enforcement and practical commitment are lacking.

“Nigeria’s problem is not about legislation but implementation. Once a disability is identified, there should be a system to assess the individual’s specific level of need and to provide resources such as mobility aids, assisted living or specialised education to enable them to live with dignity and purpose,” he said

He expressed worry that many children with disabilities are left to languish, eventually becoming burdens on their families and society.

“The government is not doing enough. What we see are physically challenged children on the streets, begging, neglected, and lacking the empowerment to speak up for themselves,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director and Trustee of the Foundation, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, identified poor funding as the most pressing issue.

According to her, “Funding translates into infrastructure, assistive devices, trained personnel and accessible facilities. While states like Lagos have tried to mainstream inclusive education, these efforts are crippled by lack of resources and maintenance.”

She lamented the plight of parents, especially those from poor backgrounds, who cannot afford basic therapy or learning aids for their children.

“Most of these children come from indigent families. Foundation-led interventions are limited by funding constraints. There’s also a pressing need for laws that mandate accessibility in public buildings, with penalties for defaulters,” she said.

Mrs. Idigbe stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws, saying, “Having progressive laws on paper is not enough. There must be political will to implement them from the top.”

On her part, the Acting Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation, Mrs Angela Ezenweani, said the annual walk is aimed at creating awareness and promoting inclusion for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

She said: “Every child has a unique gift. What they need is an enabling environment where their abilities can thrive. This walk is not just about visibility, it is a call to action for sustained advocacy, proper enforcement of disability rights, and adequate funding.”

Ezenweani said despite the challenges, the Foundation remains committed to supporting affected children and pushing for policy reforms.

The Punuka Foundation’s Childcare Centre in Lagos caters to children with a range of developmental conditions and has, over the years, advocated for inclusive education, better healthcare access, and social protection for children with special needs.