Abuja: The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has raised concerns over the ongoing underrepresentation of children with disabilities in government budgets, emphasizing that this gap undermines goals of inclusion, equity, and accountability in governance. Dr. Sunday Udo, the TLMN National Director, voiced these concerns at a media engagement organized by The Qualitative Magazine under the theme ‘Inclusive Budgeting for Children with Disabilities.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the TLMN recently conducted a desk review of federal and subnational budgets from 2023 to 2025 to scrutinize allocations specifically for children with disabilities. Supported by the Liliane Fonds, this review aimed to enhance budget inclusivity for these children across Nigeria.
Dr. Udo revealed that most budgets only vaguely reference disability, health, education, and social welfare, lacking specific, trackable budget lines. He noted that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) does not include budget indicators for children with disabilities, forcing parents to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare as disability is considered a health challenge. Furthermore, ministries responsible for child protection lack the fiscal power needed, and broad programs often fail to address the unique needs of children with disabilities.
Dr. Udo called on the government to ensure specific, costed, and monitorable budget commitments, warning that exclusion becomes inevitable if children with disabilities are not clearly accounted for in budgets.
Mr. Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), echoed these concerns, stating that budgeting for persons with disabilities has been grossly inadequate. He stressed the need for a budget that not only reflects the entire disability population but also captures the interests of children specifically.
Mr. Mohammed Issa, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunity, commended the Leprosy Mission for its efforts to identify areas where inclusion of children with disabilities is lacking. Represented by Mr. Lanre Oloyede, Issa recognized that children with disabilities remain among the most marginalized and excluded groups, necessitating urgent attention.
Additionally, Mr. Agbo Christian, Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, urged the media to highlight these issues to draw the attention of policymakers. He emphasized the media’s powerful role in shaping public understanding, influencing policy priorities, and holding duty bearers accountable.